
Class, PSg JSr 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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The Story 






of Asenath 






Daughter of Potipherah, 
High Priest of On 






By John Willy 






Copyright 1913 by John Willy 






The Author reserves all 
rights for stage presenta- 
tion of The Story of Asenath 






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PUBUSHED BY The Hotel Monthly 
443 South Dearborn Street, Chicago 




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Genesis XLI, 45v. 

And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; 
and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potiphe- 
rah priest of On. 



>Ci.A35i268 



Introduction 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuniiiiiiiii 

The play, "The Story of Asenath, Daughter of Potiphera, 
High Priest of On," was written by me during the years, 1884 
and 1885, and submitted for criticism to Frank B. Wilkie, 
managing editor of the Chicago Times, and John McGovern, 
journahst, who at that time was treasurer of the Chicago 
Press Club. 

Later, it was submitted to Cornelius Gardner, of the Chi- 
cago Evening Journal, who submitted it to Richard Mansfield. 
Also, it was submitted to others for their criticism. 

The play has remained in manuscript these twenty-eight 
years, and its publication in book form at this time is condi- 
tional that the rights for its presentation on any stage be 
reserved to the sanction of the author. 

The inspiration for this play was a desire to provide for 
near relatives who are blind, should accident befall me. 

The same motive prevails today. 

The characters who become blind in the play, and whose 
sight is restored, is a message of hope to the blind. 

JOHN WILLY 



THE STOEY OF ASENATH 

I III iiiiiiiiinniiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittiiiiiiiiiiiiinitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw 



THE STORY OF ASENATH 

A Drama in Five Acts 

Pharaoh king of Egypt , 

PoTiPHERAH .... priest of On 

PoTiPHAR captain of Pharaoh's army 

Joseph 1 steward of Potiphar's household 

Zaphnath-paaneah j ruler of Egypt 

Felix butler to Pharaoh 

Og servant to Potiphar 

NuABA a story-teller, and father of Og 

Amos a surgeon 

Basil an acolyte and secret messenger 

for Potipherah 

Page master of ceremonies, king's pal- 
ace 

BoLAN captain of a ]\lidianite band of 

traders 

Jarez lieutenant of Bolan's band 

Captain in charge of the king's prison 

Oah king's constable 

First Officer 

Second Officer 

First ]\Iessenger 

Second Messenger 

First Sentry 

Second Sentry 

Physician 

Asenath priestess of Isis and daughter of 

Potipherah 

Zillah a priestess and companion to 

Asenath 
Priests, priestesses, acolytes, singers, dancers, sol- 
diers, citizens, robbers, slaves, etc., etc. 



in the king's service 



ACT I., SCENE I THE STORY OF ASEX\TH 



ACT r 

SCENE 1 

The caravan of Bolan, a Midianitish merchant of Damas- 
cus, is returning from a journey into Egypt. The first rest 
is deing taken under a grove of trees hy the roadside, ten 
miles distant from the royal city of Meres, and about two 
miles from On, the dwelling place of the High Priest of the 
Sun. It is nearly time to resume the journey. Bolan is in 
conversation ivith his lieutenant, Jarez. 

Bolan : — I tell thee, Jarez, this is my last journey into 
Egypt. 

Jarez: — INIethinks thy wits belie thee, Bolan. 'Twas but 
yesterday and thou did'st bargain to bring cedar 
wood for Pharaoh. 

Bolan : — Ay, and that bargain would bring us wealth, 
Jarez ; but I tell thee again : this is my last journey 
into Egypt. 

Jarez : — And why thy last, Bolan ? 

Bolan: — Dost thou remember Joseph — old Jacob's brat — • 
whom I bought of his brothers and sold to Potiphar, 
the captain of Pharaoh's army? 

Jarez : — Ay, I remember him well ; a comely brat. Thou 
bought 'st him for twenty pieces of silver; and Poti- 
phar gave thee for him fifty pieces of silver and, a 
monkey — a blue-faced monkey. Ay, I remember. 
'Twas fifteen years agone or more ; but 'twas a good 
trade, Bolan, a good trade ! 

Bolan : — 'Twas an evil business, Jarez, and bad fortune 
hath followed it. Did I not lose the silver by the 
way? and did not the ape kill my first born babe? 
My caravan then was thirty men, ten camels and 
fifty asses ; now 'tis but six men and yon few beasts. 
'Twas an evil business. The brat hath saddled a 
curse on me. 

Jarez : — Thou hast a fit of melancholy, Bolan. 'Tis the 
food of the Egyptians that rebels in thy stomach 
and giveth thee ugly dreams. Hie thee home and 



6 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i., scene i. 

llililiiiiiiiNiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniinitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw 

the good wine of Midian will restore thee a cheerful 
countenance. 
BoLAN : — Hold thy prattle ! This Joseph is a curse. To-day 
he cost me spices valued at three hundred pieces of 
silver. 
Jarez : — What sayest thou ? 

BoLAN : — This morn I did go to the house of Potiphar bear- 
ing the costly spices of Ind. Potiphar 's wife did 
look on them with favor, and would have bought; 
then calling the steward of the household did bid 
him pay me three hundred pieces of silver. The 
steward of Potiphar 's household is Joseph — 

Jarez : — Joseph ! 

BoLAN: — Ay: old Jacob's son, whom Potiphar hath ad- 
vanced, giving to him power and authority. Joseph 
did know me, called me by name, and then did make 
himself known ; whereat my knees trembled. Then, 
taking a whip, he did belabor me unmercifully, voic- 
ing himself that I and my caravan leave the land ere 
nightfall and not to again visit Egypt under j)ain 
of being publicly whipped by negroes and to have 
my caravan confiscate. His face showed so terrible 
an anger that I tied the house, leaving my spices 
and taking not the price of them. This Joseph is 
now powerful and can work us harm. 

Jarez : — Thou hast indeed cause to fear. 

BoLAN: — Are the beasts well rested? We must speed our 
journey. 

Jarez: — I will burden the drivers to make ten miles ere 
sundown. 

BoLAN: — Stay, Jarez. See'st thou those women coming 
from yon vineyard? Are they not priestesses? 

Jarez : — They be, and they come this way. 

BoLAN : — We have done many a foul piece of business 
together, Jarez. I am tempted to one more and this 
for the last time. These women be sacred persons, 
and bear about them jewels of priceless value. To 
lift hand of violence against these women is by law 
of Egypt certain death. We can commit the crime 
and escape the penalty. Let us waylay them, rob 
them, divide the spoils and flee the land ere pursuers 
can o'ertake us. 

Jarez : — Good ! 



ACTI,S(^^ET THE STORY OF ASENATII 7 

BOLAN : — Instruct the men. There be three women — two 
men to a woman. When they pass here rush upon 
them, bind them firmly and I will tear the jewels 
from their bodies. Quick, Jarez ; they are near- 
ing us. 

Jarez : — {Aside) We are trusty knaves. 
{Exit Jarez) 

BoLAN: — This is desperate work. I almost fear me of its 
success. But my men are equal to't. This bag will 
hold the spoils. They be almost here. That's right, 
my men ; lie low ; make quick attack ; when I snap 
the finger, jump. 

Tlie attack is made; the women scream, hut they 
are easily overpowered and their mouths silenced 
hy rude hands. Bolan busies himself stnpping 
jewels from arms anel necJis. Suddenly the men see 
strangers approaching and they run away. Joseph 
rushes in, followed hy several soldiers. He cap- 
tures and recognizes Bolan.) 

Joseph: — {To Bolan) Miserable whelp! thy doom is 
sealed. 

{To soldiers) Bind this cur! 

{To otJicr soldiers) Ezel, Ak, Baylum, Napri, 
Lotur, Bel! {pointing toward the fleeing rohhers) 
take those fellows dead or alive and report with 
them at On tonight. 

{Exit six soldiers after the rohhers. Joseph ad- 
dresses those who are hinding Bolan.) 

Set a heavy burden on this fellow's shoulders and 
drive him before you. 

{He picks up the hag containing the jewels that 
Bolan had taken from the priestesses and advances 
towards Asenath. He hands her the hag.) 
{To Asenath) Priestess, thy servant. 

Asenath : — Our thanks to thee, sir. Thou did'st arrive in 
timely season for i'escue. 

Joseph: — I would we had arrived in season to thwart the 
attack. 

Asenath : — How came you so suddenly upon the scene ? 

Joseph : — We journeyed from Meres, and as we did round 
yon hill, coming into view, did see the villains fall 
upon you. Thou knowest the rest. 

Asenath : — I pray thee, sir, tell me thy name and occupa- 
tion, that I may speak it unto my father. 



8 THE STORY OF ASENATH act i., scene i. 

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Joseph : — My name, fair Priestess, is Joseph. Thy servant 
is steward of the house of Potiphar, the captain of 
the king's army. 

AsENATH : — Thou art brave enough to be captain of the 
king's army thyself. 

Joseph : — I did but as all men should do. 

AsENATH : — Sir, I would thank thee with more than words. 
Take this ring, and if aught befall thee, send it by a 
trusted messenger to Asenath, daughter of Potiphe- 
rah. Priest of On. It will keep thee under the sacred 
protection of the Priesthood of Egypt. 

{SJic takes a ring from hcv finger anel gives him. 
He kisses her hand.) 
Farewell, good sir. 

Joseph : — And art thou Asenath ? 

Asenath : — I am. 

Joseph: — My company is bound for thy father's house. 
Wilt thou accept our protection? With me is a 
chariot which my master doth send asking thy 
father's acceptance. Let Asenath and her women 
ride in the chariot. 

Asenath : — Sir, thy speech liecometh a prince. We will 
ride in the chariot. 

Joseph : — Thou shalt ride as becomes a princess, and my 
men shall cry "bow the knee" before thee. 

Asenath: — [To her maielens) Zillah, we will journey 
home. Noe, thou shalt be charioteer — 
( To Joseph ) Sir, we are dutiful. 



(Exit) 



ACT I., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 9 

1IIIIIIIII iiiiiiiiiii iiiiiinii I iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiii inn i innnni nnnntn uinunnnnuinnnnnn ninuuinnnnnnnnininuinnnnununnninni 



ACT 1 

SCENE 2 

The place of audience and public ivorship in the Temple 
of Isis at On. It is a roofless court, built foursquare and 
paved ivith marble. Colonnades of massive granite pillars 
extend along the sides of the court. On a dais at the east 
side of the court is a picture of the goddess Isis done in a 
combination of metals and precious stones curiously inlaid 
in a block of marltle. On the north side of the court there 
is a chair of state, used by the High Priest on all occasions, 
except during the Feast of Isis, when it is occupied by the 
King. There is no sculpture of any kind in the court. Many 
of the pillars are covered ivith writings graved into the 
stone. 

It is the morning after the rescue of Asenath. The High 
Priest is seated. Priests and acolytes stand about him on 
either side and behind. Joseph stands in front, while his 
men bring in the presents ivhich Potiphar had sent in his 
charge. Asenath and Zillah stand a short distance off. 

Asenath : — See, Zillah, how proudly he carries himself ! 

Is he not handsome? Did'st ever see so perfect a 

form? 
Zillah : — He hath a noble form. 
Asenath : — His head, how truly balanced ! Did'st ever see 

so shapely a head, Zillah ? 
Zillah: — 'Tis a well formed head. 
Asenath : — Note his eyes, Zillah. Methinks they are soft 

as a gazelle's; piercing as an eagle's; bright as the 

evening star! Did'st ever see such wonderful eyes, 

Zillah? 
Zillah : — They are wonderfully keen. 
Asenath : — See how gracefully he moves. Mark his step ; 

the turn of his hand; those rounded limbs; those 

arms ! Dost note his color, Zillah ? How clear his 

skin ! See how his rich blood mantles ! Is he not a 

man to love, Zillah? 
Zillah : — He hath charmed Asenath. 

Asenath: — Answer me, Zillah: Is he not a man to love? 
Zillah : — He hath all the qualities that do charm the eye. 
Asenath : — Rememberst thou, Zillah, when I did give him 

the ring? I did but touch his little finger and my 



10 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i., scene ii. 

II n iiNiiiiii iiiinii I Ill I iiiiiiiiiiii nil ill niiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiii iiiiii iiii i i ii iiii iiiii ii iiii iiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiii 

whole body was thrilled with pleasurable sensation! 

When he did kiss my hand, 0, Zillah ! Let us draw 

near him, Zillah, that we may hear the music of his 

words. 
Joseph : — {To Potipherah) Potipherah, great and learned 

priest, my master, Potiphar, sends greetings unto 

thee, and doth entreat thou wilt accept the peace 

offerings which are now before thee. 
Potipherah: — Thy master hath our love, therefore will I 

accept. 
Joseph : — Thy love he treasures. Thy gracious acceptance 

of his gifts is surety of thy love. 
Potipherah : — Is thy master well ? 
Joseph : — He hath robust health. 
Potipherah : — Sent he any request by thee ? 
Joseph: — But one, my lord. He doth even now lead an 

army to the country of the rebellious Hamites, and 

asketh thy prayers in his behalf, that he may return 

victorious and with much spoils. 
Potipherah : — I will invoke Osiris to fight his l^attles. 
{Rises and examines the cliariot) 
Tell me, if thou knowest, where thy master did 

procure this matchless etiariot. 
Joseph : — ]\Iy lord, it is the chariot of Nim, the king of 

Ethiop, whom my master did slay with his own arm 

in battle. 
Potipherah: — Can'st thou relate the circumstances of the 

battle ; the death of Nim, and the taking of the 

chariot ? 
Joseph : — From the soldiers I have heard the story, but I 

lack words to picture it unto thee as it was told me. 
Potipherah : — I would hear thy account of it : Speak. 

{Potipherak resumes his seat) 
Joseph : — The armies of Egypt and Ethiop met at Bo-afra 

where the river hath two channels. The army of 

Egypt numbered ten thousand trained warriors. 

The army of Ethiop was a countless horde. Potiphar 

ranged his men along a hillside facing another hill 

on which Ethiop 's army did await attack. Between 

the armies was a plain of two bow-shots in width. 

Nim and his people did mock and rail at our men, 

saying: "Pharaoh hath sent his women to fight. 

Where be the men of Egypt? Be they not afraid?" 
Potiphar did call his officers about him and did 



A«TI., SCENEii. THE STORY OF ASENATH 11 

iiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiu nil 

instruct them in a daring plan of attack. Then com- 
manded he that should any of his men turn their 
backs upon the enemy, their lives should be sacrificed 
and their wives and children sold into bondage. 
While he was yet speaking, Nim, mounted in his 
chariot, did approach to midway of the plain, and, 
calling in a loud voice, heard by both armies, did 
challenge to single combat the leader whom Pharaoh 
had sent against him. My master did accept the 
challenge forthwith, and, calling for his white 
charger, vaulted onto its back and galloped towards 
the enemy. Quick as thought they met — Potiphar 
lightly armed, Nim cumbered M'ith weapons. Nim 
being a giant in form and with brute daring did 
savagely cut and slash and roar, his charioteer 
managing the horses dexterously. Potiphar, quick 
of eye and limb, and perfect master of the 
sword, did maintain the advantage of science over 
strength, and by thrust and dart, quick and sure 
defense of his person, and supported by his conscious 
pride of winning glory for Egypt, did exhibit super- 
human powers. 

Meanwhile the eyes of both armies did watch most 
intently the terrible fight of their chiefs. Not a word 
was uttered. The savage horde of Ethiop was spell- 
bound. Egypt looked on with fear and trembling. 
Never before was such a fight witnessed. 

For the space of an hour the leaders exchanged 
blow for blow. Then it was that both showed signs 
of failing strength. Then to the lookers-on did 
watching become agony. Now, Nim's charioteer 
being wounded by unlucky thrust of his master, 
did fall lifeless from the chariot. Nim, unable to 
control his horses, dismounted. Potiphar sprang from 
his horse and met his fierce enemy hand to hand, 
foot to foot, eye to eye. A few desperate passes 
and the king was seen to reel. Potiphar 's arm was 
lifted for a sure stroke. A turn of his wrist, a quick 
stroke of his sword and the head of Nim rolled 
upon the plain. Picking it from the ground, Poti- 
phar lifted it exultantly on high and beckoned to his 
soldiers to charge the enemy. 

Then from Egypt's ranks went up a shout that 
rent the clouds : Glory to Potiphar ! Victory ! Vic- 



12 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i., scene ii. 

"iiiuiii I iiiiiiniiiiii mil I I Ill nil i i iiiiii in inni ini nnnniiii nun nii i nun i mil 

tory ! Then with a mighty onslaught they fell upon 
the enemy, leaving their dead upon the field to the 
number of tens of thousands. The Ethiops were as 
sheep before our warriors. Never was so great a 
victory. The spoils were princely. Our warriors 
were loaded with riches. To my master's share fell 
the chariot of Nim, whom he had defeated in single 
combat. In thankfulness for his victory, Potiphar 
doth give the chariot to the great High Priest of Isis 
and Osiris. I have spoken. 

PoTiPHERAH :— Thy master is indeed a great warrior. Me- 
thinks thou hast been even modest in thy description. 
(Potipherah departs, followed hy the priests and 
acolytes. Asenath and ZillaJi retire to original posi- 
tion. Men remove the presents. Joseph remains till 
the last present is taken away.) 

AsENATir: — {To Zillah) What a wondrous story! How 
finely he told it. Did'st ever hear so well told a 
story, Zillah ? 

Zillah : — 'Twas well delivered. 

AsENATi-i :— I will speak with him. I I\IUST hear his voice 
again. Zillah, go thou — 

Zillah : — Asenath is love-struck. 

Asenath :— 0, fie, Zillah. Go thou to my room and fetch 
me the silken headdress I do wear in the garden. 

{Zillah goes. Asenath advances to Joseph and 
addresses him.) 

Asenath : — Sir, I perceive thou art not an Egyptian. How 
long hast thou served Potiphar ? 

Joseph : — Fifteen years, fair Priestess. 

Asenath : — And art thou happy in his service ? 

Joseph : — I serve a kind master. 

Asenath : — I am curious to know thy history, and would 
ask thee prying questions. 

Joseph : — Since my servitude, fair Priestess — 

Asenath: — Call me Asenath, Joseph. 

Joseph : — Since my servitude, Asenath, my lips have been 
sealed. 

Asenath: — And therefore am I all the more curious to 
unseal them. Let us walk together in the garden, 
Joseph. 

Joseph : — Thy head, Asenath, is uncovered. 

Asenath: — Zillah doth fetch me a headdress. She will 
bring it unto me in the garden. 



ACT I., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 13 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiininiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiii^ 

{They are leaving when Zillah comes tripping 
into the court and catches sight of them going out. 
She calls out.) 
Zillah : — Asenath ! 

(Asenath turns hack into the court) 
Asenath : — The headdress here so soon ! 

{Zillah puts it on Asenath's head) 
I will return in a little while, Zillah. If my father 
seeks me, tell him I do walk in the garden. 
{Exit Asenath and Joseph) 
Zillah : — I like not Asenath's manner with the steward. 
She is infatuated. I must acquaint her father of her 
apparent strange fancy. He will give her wholesome 
advice. Yea, if Asenath love this man — and I verily 
believe she doth — it forbodeth trouble. The flame 
must be quenched ere it burn too fiercely. Her 
father shall know of it at once. But what if he dis- 
credit me ? I will tell him she walketh in the garden 
with the steward — with a slave ! That will haste 
him to find her — {Going) He will find them. He 
will bring her to her senses. 



14 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i., scene iii. 

II iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini^ 



ACT 1 

SCENE 3 

A scene in the garden of the Temple. Two paths come 
together to a sharp point. Near their junction is a large 
shade tree. At the foot of the tree and a little in the fore- 
ground is a double seat made of stout vine-stems, inter- 
locked. The paths are bordered witti a dense growth of 
tropical plants. 

{Enter Joseph and Ascnath) 
AsENATH : — Tell me thy story, Joseph. 
Joseph : — It were better I tell it thee not, Asenath. It is 

harsh and will offend thine ears. 
Asenath : — ]Methinks it is not in thee to speak harshly. 
Thy unwillingness to tell but makes the greater my 
desire to hear. Thou hast seen far countries. Thou 
hast a home in ^ far-away land — Tears ? 0, sir, I 
pray thee forgive me. I — I — 

{Asenath sits down. Joseph sits hy her) 
Joseph: — Asenath, thou did'st speak of home. I can tell 
thee of a home that will not sound harsh to thee. 
Let not these tears offend thee. There is a magic in 
the word home that o'ermasters these eyes even as 
the swollen waters o'ermaster the banks of the great 
river. The home of my early days was a land of 
hills and valleys, covered with rich verdure, and 
watered with ever-flowing streams; a land of great 
cedars and pleasant pastures; a land flowing with 
milk and honey. My father is Jacob, a patriarch of 
the house of Abraham, and greatest of the shepherd 
kings of Canaan. 
Asenath : — Then thou art a prince ! 
Joseph : — I was, but am not. 
Asenath: — Thou should 'st be: but let me not delay thy 

story. 
Joseph: — My father begat many sons, of whom I am the 
youngest and the child of his old age. On me were 
his affections centered. His love engendered envy 
among my brethren, to whom my carriage was 
haughty. They, angry at my taunts, the fruits of 
unseemly dreams, did resolve among themselves to 
put me away secretly, and would have killed me, had 



ACT I., SCENE III. THE STORY OF ASENATH 15 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniNiiiiiiiini^ 

not Reuben, with more kindness of heart, resolved 
them to beware of bloodshed. — 

AsENATH : — Which of thy brothers was Reuben ? 

Joseph: — My father's firstborn. 

AsENATH :— And he loved thee ? 

Joseph : — Nay, he advised to lower me into a pit, which 
being done, I did give myself up for dead. After 
lying from morn till eve in the pit, my brethren did 
draw me up, and, taking the coat from my back, did 
sell me to Midianites, hated kinsman of our house, 
who were journeying into Egypt. Tied to an ass, 
beaten, and with indignities heaped upon me, the 
caravan, after ten days, reached Meres, where I was 
sold to Potiphar, and became his slave. 

AsENATii : — Can'st thou not purchase thy freedom? 

Joseph :— ^lauy a time hath Potiphar l)een offered my 
weight in silver if he would but part with me, yet 
doth he set a value on my services that money tempts 
him not. 

AsENATH: — Would I could purchase thy freedom. 

Joseph : — Thou hast a noble spirit, Asenath, and I thank 
thee. 

Asenath : — It is cruel that thou should 'st be a slave. 

Joseph : — My once-free nature rebels at the thought : but, 
in truth Potiphar doth use me kindly. 

Asenath : — Potiphar shall make thee free. 

Joseph : — Why should Asenath so concern herself for my 
welfare ? 

Asenath : — IMethinks thou art — art — ! ask me not, Joseph, 
for indeed I do but follow a strong impulse within 
me. Thou seemest more worthy in my eyes than 
other men ; — a prince, and a slave ; a slave, and with 
authority over free-born Egyptians. Thine is a 
strange lot. Joseph^, it would delight me to see thy 
home among the cedars. 

Joseph : — The Priestess of On dwelleth in splendor. The 
tents of my fathers would not delight thee. 

Asenath : — An such men as thou dwell in them : what more 
could Asenath covet? 

Joseph : — The lovely Asenath would shrink from the rude 
customs of my people. They be shepherds, despised 
of the Egyptians. 

Asenath: — They be men — strong men! Asenath see'st a 
glory in strength. 



16 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i.. scene m. 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIinilllllllllllllNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIU^ 

Joseph : — I would that thou wert an Hebrew maiden. 

AsENATH : — And I, that thou wert a prince in Egypt. 

Joseph : — My lips should be silent, Asenath. 1 have spoken 
too freely. My unguarded speech would sound in 
thy father's ears as treason. 

Asenath : — Fear not my father, Joseph. Speak unto me 
as thou would 'st to a Hebrew maid. 

Joseph : — Asenath, I must leave thee. 

Asenath : — Nay, nay ; stay yet a little while — a little while 
— Joseph — I — love thee. 

Joseph : — Nay, do not mock me, Asenath. Thou sayest that 
Avhich, were I the son of Pharaoh, would give me 
boundless joy. I pray thee take back thy w'ords. 
Spurn me ; revile me ; drive me hence ! To know that 
thou lovest me, and I, a slave, kept by law of caste 
and country' from showing thee affection. 'Twould 
be a living torment in my breast. 

Asenath : — 0, say not so — 

Joseph: — Call me "slave." Say thou wert in jest; 'twas 
thy humor. 0, speak, Asenath ! But say thou did'st 
mock me and I wdll be a thousand-fold grateful. 

Asenath : — Joseph, I did speak the secret of my heart. I 
love thee. I know thou lovest me. Thine eyes be* 
trayed that which thy tongue did curb. 

Joseph : — Asenath doth make me the most happy and the 
most miserable of men. 

Asenath : — Say not miserable, Joseph. The days of thy 
servitude are numbered ; then as a Prince of Canaan 
can'st thou openly woo me. 

Joseph : — To wed thee w^ere unspeakable happiness. 

Asenath : — Thy love to me is more than life. 

Joseph : — Fairest of women ! — 

{Kisses her) 

Joseph : — How can Joseph contain himself ! Toda}' I am 
beloved of Asenath ; tomorrow, the servant of Poti' 
phar. Until I be free, how can the knowledge of our 
love be hid from the people? They must not know 
that Asenath loveth a slave. They must not know 
that Potiphar's servant hath won the heart of Ase- 
nath, else would their anger know no bounds, and I 
be cast into prison. 

Asenath: — 'Twere well they know it not till such time as 
Potiphar doth release thee. 



ACT I., SCENE III. thp: stoey of asea'ath 17 

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Joseph : — The Feast of Isis clraweth near ; 'tis scarce a 
hunclrecl clays. Perchance I shall attend in Pha- 
raoh's train. 

ASENATH : — Come, Joseph, come ! It shall be the clay of 
thy deliverance ! 

Joseph : — Sayest thou of a certainty ? 

AsENATH :— Verily, at the Feast of Isis shalt thou be made 
free. 

{Enter Potiplierah, unohserucd) 

Joseph : — And how will Asenath 'complisli this matter ? 

AsENATH : — The Feast of Isis is held but once in seven 
years. Then do the King and the Priests enter into 
solemn covenant, each with promise to support the 
other for the safety and glory of Egypt. 'Tis a 
covenant which, oft renewed, hath made our land 
greater and more powerful than all the nations of 
earth. At the covenant it is the custom of the High 
Priest to make known unto the King certain secrets 
of the priesthood, not to be divulged under penalty 
of the wrath of Isis. The King then permits the 
Chief Priestess to ask of him a favor, which, if 
within his royal power, is granted. And Pharaoh's 
word is law. 

Joseph : — What favor wilt thou ask, Asenath ? 

Asenath : — I will acquaint him that a young man, an 
Hebrew slave in the household of Potiphar, did 
bravely rescue me and my maidens from the hands 
of robbers. Then will I ask that he give the young 
man his freedom and passports that shall take him 
safely to the land of his kindred. 

Joseph : — Thy wit becomes a sage ! 

Asenath : — Asenath will follow her love to the home his 
tongue doth so eloquently picture. 

Joseph : — My love ! My life ! 

{Joseph embraces eincl Msses lier. Potipherah con- 
fronts them.) 

Potiphprah : — Asenath ! what viper is this thou art nurs- 
ing ? Come here, girl ! Away, fellow ! Away I Out 
of my sight ! 

Asenath : — My father, this is — 

Potipherah: — {To Joseph) Begone, thou vermin! or I 
will make thy carcass food for vultures. 

{Joseph stands. Potipherah draws a dagger and 



18 THE STORY OF ASENATH act i., scene iii. 

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rushes savagely at him. Ascnath throws herself be- 
tween them. She arrests her father's arm.) 

AsENATH : — Stay, my father ; an thou kill him, thou also 
killest me. 

(To Joseph) Withdraw a little space, Joseph. 
{To Potipherah) Let my father hear me. 

PoTiPHERAH : — -What damned potion hath he given thee 
that thou should 'st be thus infatuate! 

AsENATH : — Blame him not, my father ; 'twas I, Asenath, 
did woo him. 

Potipherah -.—Thou ! woo him ! a slave ! The proud Ase- 
nath, my daughter, Priestess of On, woo a slave ! 
Child, thy mind is siek. The rogue hath east an 
unholy spell upon thee. Come home with me, child. 
Thou needest rest. Thy duties have been too heavy 
for thee. Go to thy maidens and rest thee awhile, 
my child. Thy malady will not vex thee long. 

Asenath : — ]\Iy father, I am not sick — more than my soul 
doth yearn for Joseph. I do love him. Did he not 
save my life from the hands of robbers? And is he 
not of royal blood? An his rank be restored, where 
could Asenath find a nobler consort ? 

Potipherah : — Be there not princes in Egypt to whom my 
daughter would be a thrice-welcome bride? Thy 
present yearning for this fellow is but an infatua- 
tion. 'Twill wear off on the morrow, e'en as the dew 
is absorbed in the air. Thy young blood is hot with 
the fever of excitement. 'Tis unnatural that thou 
mate with one of foreign birth, e'en though he be a 
prince. This fellow is a slave of Potiphar. 'Tis 
'gainst the law for a free-born Egyptian to wed a 
slave. Think solierly, Asenath ; thou knowest 'tis so. 
Come child, walk home with me. 

Asenath: — My father, I am thy daughter — daughter of a 
Prince of Egypt— daughter of the High Priest ; and 
the laws of Egypt say that I may not wed any but 
a prince of royal blood. 

Potipherah :— Thou knowest the law. 

Asenath : — This Joseph, whom I love, is a prince. Is he 
not of the house of Abraham, the great Prince of 
Canaan, of whom tradition sayeth : Egypt's mighty 
king, the great Ramenes, did make welcome as his 
guest ? 



ACT I., S( ENE III. THE STOKY OF ASENATH 19 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiunniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiliiiiiiliiiliiiiiiliiiiiiiliiiliiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiliiiiiililililililiiw 

PoTii'iiERAH : — Tut, tut, child; he hath fed thee with 
honied words till thy conceit of him hath unbalanced 
reason. "A Prince," said he? An impostor, child; 
a slave ! My daughter doth bring shame upon the 
priesthood. Enamoured of a slave ! Asenath, the 
slave that beguiles thee shall have a righteous pun- 
ishment. 

AsENATii : — {Boldly) Harm him not ! 

{Earnestly) I love him. My nature cries for 
him. I am his. He is mine. Where is his equal in 
Egypt — so perfect a man? Shall I forget him and 
die? My father, I say unto thee: if Joseph be not 
thy son, I be not thy daughter. 

PoTiPHERAH: — {Aside) I must humor her. 

Asenath, I will enquire into the young man's his- 
tory. An his story be true, I will not set my face 
against him. 

Asenath : — Speak to him now, my father, that I may know 
thou meanest well. 

POTIPHERAH:— (To Joseph) Hast thou fed her ears with 
romance ? 

Joseph : — I have spoken honestly, my lord. 

{Ascnatlh affectionately embraces her father) 

PoTiPHERAii : — {To Asenath) Come home now, child. 

{To Joseph) Young man, we shall see thee at the 
Feast of Isis. 

Asenath: — At the Feast of Isis, Joseph! Till then Isis 
guard thee. 

Joseph : — Till then, farewell. — 

{Exit Potipherah and AsenatJi. She lool-ing 
hack.) 

Is this a dream, or do I move in things of substance ? 
{Touches his arm) This is flesh. 
{Touches the ground) That is earth. Yonder 
walks Asenath and her father. And Asenath gazes 
back at me ! 

{Holds his arms towards her. Loolis at his hand) 
This ring she did give me. 0, this is life, .joy, 
ecstasy! "At the Feast of Isis thou shalt be made 
free!" Asenath will ask it. Pharaoh will grant it. 
My day of jubilee is at hand ! 

{Exit) 



20 THE STORY OF ASENATH act i., scene iv. 

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ACT 1 

SCENE 4 

A place in the Ttmplc garden icJtere several paths meet. 
The grounel between the paths is thicMij studeleel ivith 
hright-colored powers. Several kinds of fruit trees are in 
view, some in full blossom, others heavily laden with fruit. 
In the distance is a high wall. 

[Enter Potipheredi in deep thouejht. Shortly after- 
wards enter Og, who, when he sees the priest, is 
about to retrace his steps.) 

PoTiPHERAii : — Og, eome hither. 

Og: — {Prostrating Jrimself) Thy servant, my lord. 

PoTiPHERAii : — Arise. . . . How long is't since thou wast 
Potiphar's steward? 

Og : — About a year, my lord. 

POTIPHERAII : — Who is this man that Potipliar hath placed 
above thee? 

Og : — He is an Hebrew slave, who hath found favor in the 
eyes of my master and mistress. 

POTIPHERAII : — An Hebrew slave, sayest thou ? 'Tis strange 
he should be advanced above an Egyptian. 

Og : — ]\Iy lord, the yoke galleth which maketh me answer 
his connnand. 

PoTiPHERAH : — (Aside) I will make a tool of this fellow. 
{To Og) Thou lov'st him not? 

Og : — ^ly lord speaketh the truth. 

POTIPHERAII : — I. too, hate the slave. He is a mischief- 
maker and seeketh liy unholy arts to win my daugh- 
ter's love. He hath supplanted thee in the affections 
of thy master, therefore dost thou hate him. He 
hath fawned upon my daugter to entice her from 
me, therefore am I concerned and do take thee into 
my confidence, knowing that with thy aid, we can 
effect his disgrace. 

Og : — My lord is the soul of wisdom. Let him but suggest 
and his plans are accomplished. 

PoTiPHERAH: — Did'st thou not say the slave had found 
favor in the eyes of Deza, thy mistress? 

Og: — My lord, 'tis said she looketh upon him with a lustful 
eye. 



ACTi,scLNEi\ IHF SIORY Ol' \SL.\ATir 21 

II II I Milt 

PoTiPHERAii : — Deza is a woman of strong passions. I know 
fnll well she doth love this Joseph. Go thou to her. 
Tell her Joseph is enamoured of Asenath. Tell her 
Asenath did meet him in secret and thou did'st hear 
them exchange vows : — 

Og: — My lord, she will not believe — 

POTiPHERAH : — Peace, man ! She will lend thee a willing 
ear. She will ply thee with a thousand questions, 
which thou must answer with words I will put in 
thy mouth. I know her nature. Jealousy will brew 
within her until she become even as a wild beast. 
Then shalt thou counsel her to entrap him, so that 
he become an abomination in the eyes of Potiphar. 
So shall his ruin be complete and thou be restored 
to thy stewardship. 

Og : — My lord counselleth well. Thy servant will haste this 
matter. 

PoTiPHERAH : — Nay ; use thy vantage with caution. "Watch 
thou closely, both thy mistress and the steward. Her 
passion is like unto that of the tiger — beyond the 
bonds of restraint. Neither can she hide it from the 
eyes of the servants of her household. — 

Og: — 'Tis even so — 

PoTiPHERAH : — Thou shalt observe her offer him favors in 
a manner unbefitting a mistress to her slave. The 
steward hath control of himself, and, being shrewd, 
will evade the punishment of discovery by holding 
himself aloof from her presence. When thou shalt 
find her in a vexed mood from disappointment, then 
shalt thou tell in her ears the words I have spoken 
unto thee — 

Og : — Every word, my lord. 

PoTiPHERAH: — Thou shalt acquaint her that this Joseph 
hath conspired with the lady Asenath for his free- 
dom, to be granted through the mouth of Pharaoh 
on the day of the Feast of Isis. Use thy wits, man. 
Be bold. I will prepare me a plot for his entrap- 
ping which I will deliver unto thee ere thou depart. 
Mark thou the words, and falter not in their execu- 
tion. An thou do thy part well, the knave will not 
live to see the Feast of Isis. 

Og: — My lord, I will obey thy every command. 
{Exit Potipherah) 



22 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act i., scene iv. 

miiiiiii 1 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiini^ 

Og: — {Gives a long, surprised wJiisilc) 0, Oh! Here's a 
pretty pass. Ha, ha, ha! "Won his daughter," 
said he? Ha, ha, ha, ha! Now's my time. So, ho, 
my pretty gamecock; I'll spoil thy feathers; I'll 
quiet thy crowing, "Tell thy mistress that her 
steward is enamoured of Asenath." Tell herf I'll 
risk my life to tell her. See my hated rival dis- 
placed? What would I not give to see it? I never 
felt like a villain till now. The High Priest com- 
mands; 'tis not villainy, 'tis justice. A slave in 
authority ! 'Tis a virtue to cut him off. I '11 do it, 
if my tongue palsy in the attempt. "Thou shalt ))e 
restored to thy stewardship," said the priest. I 
should be steward now, but that this upstart Hebrew 
did beguile his way into my master's favor. But 
I'll end him. I'll rout him. I'll serve Og, first; the 
Priest, next; and my master, third. I have an 
oily tongue. Hath not Deza many times listened to 
my story-telling? Am I not the great story-teller 
of Meres? Shall my talent not serve me in this 
business? Deza will be vexed and will send for me 
to spin a merry tale; and a merrier one than I'll 
spin was never spun. Ha, ha, ha ! I w'ill tell her 
of our journey to On ; the adventure by the way ; 
the ring Asenath did give him ; and then I will tell 
her a story of passion — how Asenath and Joseph did 
meet in secret ! did embrace ! did vow eternal friend- 
ship ! did plan his liberty ! I will prepare me a 
story that shall work upon her more potently than 
Potipherah doth dream of. "I will put words in 
thy mouth," quoth he. Thou may'st give me a cue, 
Sir Priest, but thou can'st not better my words. Oh, 
what a scene I'll make! W'hat mischief I'll raise! 
{Uncont roll able laughter) Poor Joseph! (Laugh- 
ter) What wall become of Joseph? (Laughter) 
Between Deza and Asenath 'tis uncomfortable, 
Joseph, uncomfortable. 

(Exit, laughing immoderately) 

(CURTAIN) 



ACTlI..scE^L] iHC ^rom or \senath 23 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIII llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 



ACT 2 

SCENE 1 

Ninety days have elapsed. 

That part of the Temple garden where numerous paths 
centralize. 

{Enter Basil and Felix from opposite directions) 
Basil : — Felix ! And dressed again in the garb of royal 

butler? Ten thousand welcomes, my old friend. 
(Shakes both hands heartily) 
Felix : — I thank thee, Basil. 
Basil: — What happy chance brought thee out of the 

prison ? 
Felix: — ]\Iethinks it was the king's humor. 
Basil: — A most excellent humor, Felix; and still better to 

give thee back thy station ! 
Felix : — And best of all, good Basil, to restore me to my 

family. 
Basil : — Spoken like the man thou art ! Tell me, good 

Felix, how liked 'st thou the prison? 
Felix : — So ill, Basil, that 1 have sworn never to cage a 

bird. 
Basil: — Till thou catch one? 

Felix : — And I catch one, I give him liberty, or death ! 
Basil: — Thou hast liberty, Felix, yet thy face weareth not 

a pleased look. 
Felix : — Basil, thou art my friend ? 
Basil : — As I ever have been. 
Felix: — And thou wilt be a priest some day? 
Basil: — 'Tis so ordained. 
Felix : — Thou knowest somewhat of the priestly power, 

and the mysteries? 
Basil: — A very little as yet. Wherefore thy questions? 
Felix : — To answer thee fully, I should unbosom myself of 

a trouble that weigheth heavily on my mind. 
Basil : — I will hear thee. 
Felix: — If thou hast the patience. It may be thou wilt 

make sport of that I tell thee. 



24 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act ii., scene i. 

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Basil : — I will hear thee as gravely as could Potiplierah. 
Felix : — Basil, 'tis said : ' ' Those who be friends avail 

themselves each of the other in time of need." As 

thou art my friend, I'll tell thee my trouble e'en 

though it weary thee. 
Basil: — Thou 'It have to begin soon, or I weary e'er thou 

do begin. 
Felix: — With me in the prison was a Prophet, who fore- 
told that which should come to pass. 
Basil .- — That which he made thee believe should come to 

pass. 
Felix : — Nay, that which afterwards did truly happen as 

the Prophet foretold. 
Basil : — ^What did happen ? 
Felix: — I\Iyself taken from the prison and restored to my 

former otSce of butler to Pharaoh. 
Basil: — Thy Prophet divined at random and the prophecy 

was by chance fulfilled. 
Felix : — Nay ; verily I believe he divined with certain 

knowledge of the future. 
Basil: — Thy reason, Felix. 
Felix: — The king's baker, who was in the prison with me, 

he was hanged in the time and manner the same as 

the Prophet foretold. 
Basil: — Felix, there be the divining cups which reveal the 

mysteries of things past and present. That which 

shall come to pass is not revealed even to the Priests. 

I have heard enough of this prophecy ; now for thy 

trouble. 
Felix : — The Prophet intrusted in my care a ring — 
Basil : — ^Which thou hast lost ? 
Felix: — Ay, and would give all I possess to have with me 

this day. 
Basil: — Thou fearest witchcraft? 
Felix: — I fear something; I know not what I fear. It 

haunteth me as it were the ghost of evil. 
Basil: — Thou art weak of mind from long imprisonment. 

An thou allow this silly fear to master thee, thou 'It 

lose thy reason. Be a man, Felix. Shake off thy 

gloom. Feast thy mind with happy thoughts — 
Felix : — He bade me give the ring to Asenath — 
Basil: — The Priestess? 
Felix: — Ay, and bade me swear by Isis — yea, upon my 

life — that I would deliver it into her hand. 



ACT II., SCENE I. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 25 

IllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItt^ 

Basil: — Now thou art interesting. For what purpose sent 
he the ring to Asenath ? 

Felix : — I know not, save to gain his freedom. He did 
credit the ring with marvelous virtues — 

Basil : — Of what nature ? 

Felix :— The protection of the Priesthood. 

Basil: — Art sure of this? 

Felix :— Basil, the Prophet spake as an honest man. Quoth 
he : " When it shall be well with thee, remember me. 
When Pharaoh goeth to the Feast of Isis, then give 
thou the ring to Asenath. When she question thee, 
tell her he who sent the ring lieth in prison, wrong- 
fully accused by Deza, the wife of Potiphar. Tell 
her I am innocent of the crime for which I suffer. 
Tell her this, ' ' quoth he, ' ' and Pharaoh himself hath 
not greater power to set me free ! ' ' 

Basil : — And thou believedst him 1 

Felix : — With my whole heart. 

Basil: — Thou hast almost won me to tin' belief. How 
camed'st thou to lose the ring? 

Felix : — Yestermorn, while saying good-bye to my wife and 
babe. In play with my little one, he took the ring 
from me and swallowed it ; then was choked. . . . 
The agony of my boy !— I see it now — ]\Iy wife 
bearing him, in frantic haste, to the surgeon. . . . 
Myself leaving ... to obey Pharaoh's command — 
tearing my heartstrings in this most unnatural part- 
ing. 

Basil : — Felix, I marvel not thou art sad. Can I lift but 
a tithe of thy sorrow, thou shalt have my best service. 

Felix: — Canst thou — canst thou tell me if my boy be 
alive ? 

Basil: — I grieve to tell thee, nay. 

Felix: — Hast thou friends among the priests who will 
divine for thee? 

Basil : — The divining cup at On is read by none, save only 
the High Priest. 

Felix: — Barest thou enquire of him? 

Basil : — Not this day. 

Felix : — Tomorrow ? 

Basil : — He cannot be approached until after the Feast of 
Isis. 

Felix : — Basil, methinks a curse goeth with the miscarriage 
of the ring. 0, this bitter doubt ! How I long to be 



26 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act ii., scene i. 

NiiiiiiiniiininiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw 

home ! and 0, how great my misgiving ! Basil, 
thinkest thou a curse on me would be visited on 
my child ? 

Basil: — I know not, Felix — yet — See, yonder cometh 
Potipherah. Let us not meet him. 
(Exit) 
(Enter Og) 

Og : — Ah, here cometh the Priest. 

{Enter Potipherah — Og salaams) 

Potipherah : — I see by thy dress thou art again steward. 

Og: — My lord, to thee I am much indebted. 

Potipherah : — How worked the plot ? 

Og: — Excellent, my lord. i\Iy mistress did swallow the 
story whole; did put forth questions that verily did 
puzzle my wit to answer; did show her passion for 
this Joseph in every look ; and then she did conspire 
for his disgrace in the eyes of her lord. Yea, she did 
force me to counsel her a way for his entrapping. — • 

Potipherah : — Ah ! 

Og: — Then counseled I that she entice him and seize his 
coat, using the garment to convince her lord of the 
slave 's baseness. — 

Potipherah : — Wiselj^ counseled. 

Og : — My words pleased her ; she was swift in putting them 
to effect ; she trapped him skillfully, and made so 
much ado on her lord's return, that the slave was 
sent to the dungeon e'er it was given him time to 
answer the charge; — yea, or even to learn the full 
measure of it. 

Potipherah : — Is he dead ? 

Og: — Nay, my lord. 

Potipherah : — Why not ? 

Og : — On the morrow, when Joseph should be hanged, then 
did my mistress petition that his life be spared until 
such time as it should be convenient for her to wit- 
ness his death. His life is now in her hands. And 
Avith savage delight goeth she about, eager to learn 
how Asenath will take the news of his treachery. 
Yea, she hath commissioned me to bring her full 
tidings of such grief (!) as the lady show when she 
doth learn of his plight. 

Potipherah : — Thou hast done thy part well. But there is 
one thing more I would have of thee. Asenath, as yet, 
knoweth not of this affair. There shall come a time 



ACT II., SCENE I. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 27 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIW 

today when I will ask thee to speak that thou knowest 
concerning this Joseph ; then speak boldly e 'en 
though it be before Pharaoh. 

Og : — I will, my lord. 

{Exit Potipherah — Og salaams) 
By the smiling crocodile, this is a strange world ! 
The Priest I did think so righteous, weareth a heart 
burdened with malice. I, who for a year have dared 
not lift my head, am now entreated by my betters. 
Not for good ends, 'tis true ; but I gain by it. 0, how 
I hated that Hebrew ! I like this rascality ; there's a 
flavor in it — a toothsome flavor ! But who cometh 
here? Felix, the king's butler, as I do live! 
{Enter Felix) 
A long and merry life to thee, Felix. {Thcij grasp 
hands) I give thee joy at being restored to the 
king's favor. 

Felix: — As warm a greeting fits thee from me, good Og, 
for I perceive that fortune hath covered thee with a 
goodlier mantle than thou did'st wear a year ago. 

Og : — Ay, and long hope I to wear it. The fellow from 
whose back 'twas taken lieth where, but a while ago, 
thou didst house. Didst see him there, Felix ? 

Felix : — We lodged in the same ward. The young fellow 
did say he was innocent of any crime that should 
hold him in dungeon. 

Og: — Innocent, said he? Ha, ha, I like that. Innocent! 
Ha, ha, ha! He'll not say that three days hence. 
He'll choke, Felix. The journey of three suns will 
see him hanged. Think of him innocent ! Ha, 
ha ! Come, Felix, let us to the Temple. {Leads 
him ojf) These rascal eyes of mine would 
feast upon the worship dancers. JMethinks the vir- 
gins of On be more supple of limb than the dancing 
girls of Pharaoh's court. 

{Exit) 



28 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act ir., scene ii. 

'iiiiniiu I I I I iniiiiiiiiiiii I II iiiiiiiiiinii iiiiii iii ii iiiiiii i i in i iiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiini i iiiiii 



ACT 2 

SCENE 2 

The place of puhlic ivorship in the Temple. A congrega- 
tion is assembled. Pharaoh is seated in state. To the left 
of the throne stand the priests and acolytes: to the right, 
the officers of the king's retinue. Potipherah stands in fr&nt 
of the throne. 

Potipherah: — {To acolytes) Jusotop and Basil, bring 
forth the Bread of the Covenant. 

{They fetch it, and hring it on a tahlc having four 
arm lifts) 

{To Pharaoh) The sacred mysteries which have 
this day been revealed unto Pharaoh, these must he, 
under the extreme penalty of our religion, keep with- 
in himself. That Pharaoh may so bind himself that 
he do safely guard them, let him now break bread 
of covenant that shall hold him accountable unto 
Isis. 

{Acolytes bear the bread to in front of tlte picture 
of Isis. Pharaoh and Potipherah advance to the pic- 
ture and stand upon the dais. Priests and acolytes 
group on both sides of the picture. The congrega- 
tion foryns a semi-circle in front.) 

{Potipherah and Pharaoh break bread) 

{Potipherah then faces the audience) 

{To audience) Behold the vast vault of Heaven. 
It is Osiris, the Great First God. Behold the Sun. 
It is Isis, the wife of Osiris. She is the mother of 
all. She is the giver of all. Egypt is her chosen 
people. In the heart of Egypt's king, dwelleth the 
Spirit of Ra, the son of Isis and Osiris. 

Listen to the seven laws which Isis gave unto 
Egypt. 

{Chorus of priests and acolytes chant) 
The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 
Potipherah : — The first and greatest law is : 

A man shall have but one wife; her he shall love, 
honor and cherish, and he shall know no other 
woman. The wife shall be true to her husband. She 
shall keep his house in order and shall delight in 
bearing him children. 



ACT II soNEii rHI> SrOK\ OF ASENATH 29 

I 

The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 
PoTiPHERAH : — The second law is : 

Speak the truth. 
The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 
PoTiPHERAH : — The third law is : 

Do ye unto others as ye would they should do unto 
you. 
The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 
POTIPHERAH : — The fourth law is : 

Honor old age. 
The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 
POTIPHERAH : — The fifth law is : 

Every man shall sow before he shall reap. 

The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 

POTIPHERAH : — The sixth law is : 

One week of each year every man shall give the 
labor of his hands to the building of a Temple. 

The Chorus : — Glory be to Isis. 

POTIPHERAH : — The seventh law is : 

The first-fruits of the land shall be brought to the 
Temples and laid upon the altar of the Gods. Every 
man shall bring his portion. 

The Chorus: — Glory be to Isis. Help us 0, ^Mother, to 
keep thy laws. 

{Pharaoh, Potiphcrah, priests and officers return 
to original places. The congregation cUstrihutes along 
the sides of the court.) 

POTIPHERAH: — {To PharaoJi) It is by custom ordained 
that Pharaoh do now give audience to the Chief 
Priestess, and, to show his fidelity to the priesthood, 
do grant such humble request as she shall ask. 

Pharaoh : — That which the Priestess shall ask is granted 

e'er the asking. 
POTIPHERAH: — Your Majesty, 'tis now the hour of noon. 
Asenath, the Priestess, doth lead the virgins in the 
Adoration of Light. When the services be done, then 
will she make known her desire. 

{Enter Asenath, leading six priestesses, all danc- 
ing. They advance rapidly to the picture of Isis, 
how three times, then advance to Pliaraoh, how once. 
Then they do the Star dance. The first positions of 



30 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act ii., scene ii. 

"'««'"»' niiiiiiiiiiiniiii Ill I iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiniiii iii i iiiiiiiniinii m nami iii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiinniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiini nm ,m iitii nm 

the dancers are shown in the accompanying dia 
gram:) 




A dancer at each of the points: B, C, D, G, J and 
E awaits a signal from Asenath at A. The signal is 
given B, C and D, ivJio are each about two feet from 
Asenath, and they dart outwards about ten feet to 
points F, H and K respectively ; and, the dancers at 
G, J and E at the same time dart inwards to C, D 
and B. TJius: B goes to F, hack to C, out to H, hack 
to D, and so on round and ronnd the central figure. 
In like manner, G darts in to D, out to J, in to B, 
out to E, in to C, and so on. Asenath is dressed in a 
robe of silk, buff and white colors. At first positions 
in diagram, the dancers at B, C and D are dressed 
in buff colored robes, and those at C, J and E in 
white robes. The figure movements are very quick 
and the effect is supposed to represent a twinkling 
star. 



ACT II., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH ' 31 

liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM 

At the close the dancers form in single file — 
Asenath leading, and those in white preceding those 
in hujf. The column moves to the picture of Isis so 
rapidly that the effect is supposed to represent a 
shooting star. The seven priestesses kneel at the 
dais. Zillah, ivJio is of their number, steps up to the 
dais and sings The Song of Isis. 
Zillah -. — (Sings) Isis, Maker of Light, to Thee we sing : 

Thou art the grandeur of the Heavens ; the glory 
of the morning. 

Sleeping and waking, Thou art with us ; Thy 
breath is life. 

Thou givest eyes to see and ears to hear; Thou 
fillest our hearts with gladness. 

Thou carest for the little ones — the children of 
our people. 

Thou makest the mother to love her babe, and the 
father to be joyful in his offspring. 

Thou art the Mother of Love. 

Keep us, Mother, in Thy Love and let Thy Spirit 
dwell in us. 

Thou art Isis the good; Isis the beautiful; Isis 
the all in all ; Isis the everlasting. 

Lovely and pleasant are Thy ways : Thou shalt 
reign for ever and ever. 

Tlie priestesses do the Sun dance. This is done hy 
symbolizing the beetle as the origin of life; the lotus 
floiver as the bit^th and expansion of life; and the 
circling stars as eternity. 

The priestesses group around Asenath and at a 
given signal dart away from her, each one taking a 
separate and erratic course, and all striving to pro- 
duce the most irregidar motions. They move over 
all the available space and fitter a prolonged buzzing 
sound. This peculiar movement is supposed to rep- 
resent the flight of the beetle; also the unborn soul 
seeking habitation in a human body. 

In the meantime Asenath has moved to the center 
of the conri. She brings order out of chaos by 
shouting: 
Asenath : — A Mother ! 

Immediately the dancers move towards Asenath 
anel form a close circle around her, standing alternate 
white and buff. This is the lotus bud. Birth comes 



32 



THE srOR\ OF \SEXATH act ii., scene ii. 

I I iiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiii 



with the opening of ihc flower. Tliis is done by the 
six dancers moving slowly outivarels, balancing at 
every step, wntil each of them lias advanced about 
ten feet. Here the "Sun" dance proper begins. 
The positions at its opening are sliown in the accom- 
panying diagram: 




B, C, D in buff; G, J, E in white. Tltc dancers 
move simidtaneously in the direction of the arrows 
and govern their speed so as not to collide at the 
crossing of the lines. This moving in a circle repre- 
sents the life of mortals continued in the {then 
known) six planets, which will forever circle the 
sun. 

At the close, Asenath leads the six priestesses ta 
Isis. They bow three times, then advance ta 
Pharaoh, bow once; then exit, dancing rapidly. 
POTIPHERAH : — {To Basil) Basil, tell the Priestess Asenath 
Pharaoh doth await her presence. 
{Exit Basil) 
{Reenter Asenath, followed by maidens and Basil} 



ACT II., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 33 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ 1 1 1 1 ii 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 iiiinin 

Pharaoh: — {1\> Ascnath) Fair Priestess, thou art wel- 
come : 1 will esteem it honor to listen to a petition 
from thy lips. 

AsENATH : — The favor I do ask is of modest limit, yet of 
odd fashion. The granting of it may not he a pleas- 
ure to thee. 

Pharaoh: — Is there a greater than Pharaoh in Egypt? 
Let the beautiful Asenath but speak her desire, and 
I will grant it, even though it cost the price of ten 
cities. 

Asenath : — There is in the household of Potiphar, captain 
of the army, an Hebrew slave, Joseph by name, who, 
but three moons past, did, with great bravery rescue 
me and my maidens from the hands of robbers. 
Asenath doth now beseech Pharaoh that he do take 
the young man out of bondage, and do also give 
him passports that shall carry him safely to the home 
of his kindred. Let Pharaoh but grant this requeM 
and Asenath shall have joy at showing gratitude for 
her deliverance. 

{Felix, ivho is prcseuf, sliows facial expression of 
pleasurable surprise. His countenance changes as 
tlie scene progresses. He is dumb.) 

{PJiaraoh, about to grant Asenath' s rrrjucst will- 
ingly, is interrupted by Potipherah.) 

Potipherah : — Pharaoh, the king, is in kind humor and I 
do crave a few words, that Pharaoh, in his gracious 
conforming to the wish of Asenath, be not embar- 
rassed. 

Pharaoh : — What embarrassment can lurk in so simple a 
petition ? 

Potipherah : — Asenath hath unwittingly asked that which, 
if thou grant, will be a precedent that shall endanger 
the throne of Egypt. 

Pharaoh : — How sayest thou ? 

Potipherah : — The laws which Pharaoh doth administer 
are heaven-born. They do bind together and make 
powerful a nation whose virtues do so stand out that 
we be honored and feared of all the earth. Great- 
est and most potent of our laws is that one which 
doth guard the sanctity of our homes. Whoso vio- 
lateth this law becometh an outcast, the stigma of 
which doth so follow him that Pharaoh on his royal 
throne hath not power to pardon the offense. The 



34 THE STORY OF ASENATH act ii., scene ii. 

iniiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiniiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiniiiiiiiniiniiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinii^ 

slave for whom Asenatli petitions now lietli in the 
king's dungeon, convicted of the crime tiiat doth 
most revolt our people. 

AsEKATii: — {Exciirdlii) And liow know you this, my 
father? 

POTIPHERAH : — ]\Iy daughter, a new steward administereth 
in Potiphar's househokl and doth now attend our 
ceremonies. I did en(|uire of him of the welfare of 
the young man Josepli, to whom hut a while ago we 
did give unhounded thinks. Then told he me of 
the young man's downfall and imprisonment. 
{Asenatli gets intensely excited, hut can't speak) 

Pharaoh: — (To Potiplicrah) Is thy informant hefore us? 

PoTiPHERAH : — He is, your ]Ma jesty. 

Pharaoh : — Bid him stand fortli. 

PoTiPHERAH : — Og, advance. 

Pharaoh: — {To O;/) Art tliou steward for Potiphar? 

Og: — I am, your ]\Iajesty. 

Pharaoh : — Knowest thou Joseph 1 

Og : — As a brother, your ]Ma jesty. 

Pharaoh: — KnoAvest thou tlie cause ol" his disgrace? 

Og : — I do, your jMajesty. 

{Ascnafh gels icildhj exciiul) 

Potipherah: — {To Asenatli) My daughter, thou art not 
well. I pray thee retire to thy apartment. 

AsENATH: — I stay here. 

Potipherah : — AVhat this man will say is not for the ears of 
maidens. 

Asenath : — I will stay. 

Potipherah : — Asenath. thou i\IUST NOT stay. Come with 
me, I pray thee. 

Asenath : — My father : and the man speak blasphemy, 
shall I not know it ? Daretli he to speak a lie before 
Pharaoh? Joseph is NOT C4UILTY of the crime 
thou dost load upon him. I will hear the evidence. 

Phaeaoh: — {To Og) Speak on. 

Og : — My master did lead an army against the Ilamites, 
and, quickly returning, victorious, did find his house- 
hold in great commotion ; Deza, his wife, liewailing 
and w^earing sackcloth. "The Hebrew!" quoth she, 
"The Hebrew slave thou didst bring into thy house! 
Hath he not assaulted thy wife ! Hath he not fled ! 
Is not this his garment which he did leave in his 
haste?" Tlien Avas Potiphar exceeding wrotli and 



ACT II., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 35 

iiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiililiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiliiiliiiilliiinililillllilliiiiiiillliliilliiw I II I I iiiiiii 

commanded that the slave be bound and east into 
prison. Your Majesty, I have spoken. 

{Asenath, exerting a ivonderful self-control, ad- 
vances toward Pharaoh. She speaks sloivly.) 

Asenath : — Pharaoh, the king, cannot now set him free. 
Let Pharaoh then spare his life. I ask no more. 

Pharaoh: — (To Asenath) The young man hath com- 
mitted a crime, the penalty for which is death. Jus- 
tice wills it that Deza be avenged. 

{To Og) Thou say est the young man is in prison. 
How long hath he lain there since accused by his 
mistress ? 

Og : — Th^ space of two moons, your JMajestj'. 

Pharaoh : — Knowest thou the cause why his execution Avas 
not put into effect the day following his arrest, as 
the law calls for? 

Og: — My mistress did request the captain of the guard to 
delay the execution until such time as suited her 
pleasure to be an eye-witness. 

Pharaoh: — Had she named a day for his taking off? 

Og : — The day after to-morrow at high noon, your Majesty. 

Pharaoh : — {To company) By delaying the time of his 
death, Deza hath established a precedent which I, 
Pharaoh, do follow. I decree that Joseph, the He- 
brew, be hanged in the king's prison one hundred 
years from high noon to-morrow. And furthermore, 
I decree that no violent hands be laid on him until 
the one hundred years be fulfilled. 

{Pharaoh is about to leave his throne, when 
Asenath advances toward him.) 

Asenath : — Stay ! Pharaoh is a just king. Let the king be 
a witness to my vow. 

{To her father) ]\Iy father, come with me to the 
altar. 

{Me takes her hand. They ivalk to in front of 
Isis. Potipherah leaves Asenath there and walks 
backward a few steps. Asenath prostrates herself 
before the picture; then slowly rises; then motions 
her maidens to approach. They advance and stand 
around her. Turning to Isis, she says:) 

Holy Mother Isis, Thou who knowest our inmost 
thoughts, to Thee cometh Asenath, Thy Priestess, 
grief stricken and with desolate heart. Take of me, 
Mother, a virgin offering. Myself, my whole 



36 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act ii., scene II. 

giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinin^ 

affection I give. Before these witnesses, I, Asenath, 
swear to forever hold my body sacred, to live and die 
a virgin, loving and serving only Thee. 
{Potiplterah takes her hand) 
PoTiPHERAH : — -{To company) Asenath hath done this 
thing in purity of heart. Whosoever shall lift his 
finger against her, or speak of her in reproach, for 
him the sun shall not shine and his days shall for- 
ever be utter darkness. 

CURTAIN 



At Till.. SCENE I. THE STORY OF A8ENATH 37 

iiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiN 



ACTS 

SCENE 1 

{Tivo years have elapsed) 
That part of the Temple garden where numerous paths 

centralize. Potipherah is ivalking alone. 

{Enter Basil, running. He Msses the Priest's hand) 

Potipherah: — Basil, thou hast tarried long. What news 
from Meres? 

Basil: — News and news, my lord. The city is in commo- 
tion! Such news of startling import is heard that 
the people flock around the story-tellers in dense 
masses — such a running and questioning and babble ! 
Some have gone stark mad, drunk with so much 
news! 

Potipherah : — Tell thy news, man. 

Basil : — My lord, it so burdeneth me I know not where to 
begin. 

Potipherah : — Thy news ! As it cometh to thy mind. Out 
with it. 

Basil : — t)eza is dead — taken in adultery — slain by her 

husband, who did kill both her and her lover. 

(Enter a servant) 

Servant: — {To Potipherah) ]\Iy lord, messengers from 
Pharaoh Avould see thee on urgent business. 

Potipherah : — Bring them hither. 
{Exit servant) 
{To Basil) Well? 

Basil: — Pharaoh hath found one who could make known 
the meaning of his dream.- — 

Potipherah: — Not so, Basil. 

Basil: — A young man, a soothsayer of the Plebrews, hath 
gained the king's ear and hath set the king's heart 
against the Priesthood. Yea, the king hath publicly 
proclaimed him ruler of his household and of Egypt. 
Only in the throne shall Pharaoh be greater than he. 
I did see him with my own eyes, riding in the king's 



38 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act iii., scene i. 

iiiiilii III n iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ 

chariot, and runners went before him crying, "In 
the name of Pharaoh, bow the knee. ' ' 

PoTiPHERAH: — This is news indeed! How gained he so 
great an influence over the king? 

Basil: — 'Tis said he ministered to tlie king's vanity, my 
lord, saying: thus and thus shalt thou do and thy 
power shall be increased a thousand fold. — 

PoTiPHERAH : — A flatterer ! a trickster ! 

Basil: — The king, by his favorite's advice, hath com- 
manded that one-fifth of the harvest of the land be 
garnered into the king's storehouses. "For," said 
the soothsayer, "is there not a famine to come? and 
shalt thou not then give bread to thy people that 
they die not?"— 

POTIPHERAH : — A fool ! Famine in Egypt ? Bah ! 

Basil: — Then said the soothsayer: "Would Pharaoh live 
for ever ? Then let him build himself a mound whose 
top shall overlook the mountains. In the years of 
famine shall not the people work for the bread 
Pharaoh has to give them ! Shall they not hew them 
stones and raise unto Pharaoh a monument that 
neither time nor the hand of man can destroy!" 

PoTiPHERAH: — Go thou to the house, Basil. I will follow 
thee when yon messengers have finished their busi- 
ness with me. 

{Exit Basil) 
{Filter the king's messengers, who how, anel pre- 
sent a scroll whereon is imprinted the royal seal) 

POTIPHERAH : — I listen to Pharaoh. 

First Messenger : — Prince Potipherah, Pharaoh hath com- 
manded that thy daughter Asenath be given unto 
Zaphnath-paaneah to wife. 

Potipherah : — ^What ! "What ! INIy daughter — Pharaoh — 
Asenath — Pharaoh hath commanded ? What say ye ? 
Sirs, ye speak idly. Pharaoh is ray friend, my pupil. 
Pharaoh would not, could not command as ye have 
spoken. 

Second IMessenger : — Prince Potipherah, we be the bearers 
of the words of the king. Pharaoh hath commanded 
that Asenath be given unto Zaphnath-paaneah to 
wife. 

Potipherah: — And who is this Zaphnath-paaneah that 
Pharaoh willeth shall be my son? 



ACT iir., SCENE I. THE STOEY OF A8ENATH 39 

iiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiNiiiiiiiiiw iiiiiiiiiiiiiiinniiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiN^ 

Second Messenger: — He is a man well favored of body, 
young in years, old in wisdom. Pharaoh hath put a 
gold chain about his neck and hath made him to be 
ruler over Egypt. Whence he came, we know not. 
He rideth in the second chariot and runners cry 
''Bow the knee!" before him. 

POTIPHERAH : — What service hath the young man done 
Egypt that Pharaoh should thus honor him? 

Second Messenger : — We will speak thee honest : None. 

PoTiPiTERAH : — None ? 

Second ^Messenger: — The king dreamed a dream, twice re- 
peated, whereat he was troul)led. To the priests, 
the magicians and the wise men, he spake the man- 
ner of the dream, but none could interpret. Thou, 
Potipherah, Priest of On. wast consulted, but even 
thy ripe learning could not give the interpretation 
of the dream. It was told Pharaoh, by the mouth 
of Felix, his butler, that there was in the king's 
prison a young man, an Hebrew, a servant of the 
captain of the guard, who could understand the 
dream and interpret it. He Avas brought before the 
king, and, hearing the dream, did upon the instant 
interpret, prophesying great and wonderful things 
to come to pass in Egypt ; all the nations coming to 
Pharaoh for bread. His words so pleased Pharaoh 
that the king placed a ring upon his finger and 
clothed him in fine linen and made him ruler over 
the king's household and over Egypt. 

Potipherah : — My daughter, sirs ! my daughter ! I would 
know good and sufficient reasons why Pharaoh hath 
singled her from all the virgins of Egypt to bestow 
upon his favorite. 

First Messenger : — My lord, we can give no reasons other 
than the king's command. 

Potipherah : — Would the king Avillfully wreck his throne ! 

First ]\rESSENGER: — Prince Potipherah, Pharaoh's word is 
law. We but obey him in saying thy daughter 
Asenath must accompany us to ]\Ieres. 

Potipherah : — Sirs, she shall not ! See : yonder she cometh, 
a virgin Priestess who hath taken the holy vows of 
chastity ; whose life is consecrated to Isis. She but 
now cometh from the altar. Take her but a day, an 
hour, a minute, from her sacred duties and the throne 
of Egypt is saddled with a curse that shall blight and 



40 'rHL sroin oi' \sk\ \t k \( i m ,sle\i- i 

III I II I 

wither and destroy; that shall make this fair land 
desolate! that shall raise each man's hand against 
his neighbor! that shall make the women and chil- 
dren from the Northern to the Southern sea, slaves, 
subjected to the vile passions of barbarian con- 
querors ! 

{Tike messengers are terrifieeJ at the fieree earnest- 
ness U'itli which he speaks) 

{Enter Asenath ) 

AsENATH : — ^ly father, what would they do that thou warn- 
est them with so awful a threat? 

PoTiPHERAH : — It coneerneth thee, child. Pharaoh is arro- 
gant and sendeth by these messengers an impudent 
command that thou marry an upstart servant who 
hath recently been advanced in the king's house- 
hold. 

Asenath : — I marry ! 

{To Messengers) Sirs, it cannot be. Pharaoh 
himself did witness my taking the vow of chastity. 
It is a mistake. He hath forgotten. 

PoTiPHERAH : — He hath NOT forgotten! 

Asenath : — Calm thyself, my father. No hai-m shall come 
of this. ]s not our religion true? And I be in danger, 
will not Isis shield me? Is she not greater than 
Pharaoh ? 

POTIPHERAH : — Ascuath, thou art yet a child and thinkest 
as a child. Thou hast learned to put thy trust in 
the powers of good. The fabric of our religion hath 
heretofore been reverenced by the king and his sub- 
jects. Now hath the king violently assailed it. He 
did ask the Priests of Egypt to make known the 
meaning of an idle dream. When we did not satisfy 
him with answers, then sent he for a slave, whose 
trick of fortune telling had given him renown 
among the king's menials. This fellow shaped a 
plausible answer to the king's dream, and in pay- 
ment therefor is bestowed with extravagant marks 
of royal favor. 

Asenath : — Can that which is false stand before Pharaoh ? 
Can falsehood defy truth? Can it harm thee, or 
me ? 

POTIPHERAH :— Asenath, the fellow is a Hebrew, a wor- 
shiper of strange gods. He hath influenced the king 
against us: therefore doth the king in his foolish 



ACT III.. SCENE I. THE STORY OF ASENATH 41 

11,11, ,|g|„ ||||,|,|,|,|,|„||,|,|||l||,l Illllllll mil I Illllllllll I Illllllllllllllll «««« » «i«i««i «»««" I I ™»»i»""»» I '"" ' '""" «"««»«»"»""i''i 

spite think to belittle our power and the Divinities 
we worship, yea, even to making the Chief Priestess 
of Isis a creature of his whim ! Asenath, thou hast 
yet to learn: "Put not thy trust in the sons of men." 
Asenath :—:\Iy father, in so saying, thou dost confess a 
weakness which shameth thee. Our Gods, be they but 
myths, that thou, who hast always declared them 
King of Kings, shouldst now quail when an earthly 
potentate but lifteth his finger against them! As 
Isis liveth. there is no earthly power can harm me ! 
{Poiipherah lools on her in amazement. She ad- 
vances to hint and takes a signet ring from his 
finger. ) 

{To Messenger.^) Sirs, take you this token to 
Pharaoh. Bid him prepare a marriage feast on the 
first day of the New :\Ioon. At high noon of that 
day, Potipherah and Asenath will appear before the 
king's throne. You have our answer. 

{The messengers hesitate about going. Potipherah 
stands speechless, gazing in astonishment at his 
daughter.) 
Asenath:— (To messengers) Sirs, I pray you leave us. 
Rest ye in the house a while and refresh ye and feed 
your beasts. 
First Messenger:— (To Potipherah) Prince Potipherah, 

doth Asenath speak for thee? 
Potipherah : — Her words be~iTiy words. 
First I\rESSENGER :— And shall be so delivered unto 
Pharaoh. 

( Exit Messe nge rs ) 
Potipherah: — Child, child, thou knowest not what thou 
hast done. I must open thine eyes. See thou yon 
stately palace? It was built by thy forefathers of 
ten generations. In that palace, when it was yet but 
a few stones. Nor, the first of the priests, did shape 
and fashion certain mysteries with which he awed 
the people. He did invent the names of Gods and 
Goddesses, giving to each certain powers, and did 
preach them as being watchful over mankind, re- 
warding and punishing according to their desserts. 
He built altars and offered sacrifice. To his altars, 
a deluded people brought the firstfruits of the land— 
Asenath : — A deluded people ! 0, my father ! 



42 IJIL SlORi or \&E.\ \Tn vcmi., scene i. 



IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIII 



PoTiPiiERAii: — From shapeless rock, he gave form to 
Sphynx, and with his own hand, graved the seven 
laws upon its guarded tablet. These laws are not 
from Heaven, nor is the writing a Heavenly gift — 

AsENATH : — Not from Heaven ! 

PoTiPiiERAH: — Nor, alone, created both the laws and the 
writing. 

AsENATH : — 0, my father, do not tell me so ! 

POTIPHERAH: — My daughter, I must tell thee all: The 
great learning of Nor and the earnestness with which 
he preached, brought unto him riches, and the fear 
and the reverence of men, from Pharaoh on the 
throne, to the poorest of his subjects. Only to the 
first-born of his line hath this secret been confided. 
All the priests of Egypt, with the exception of my- 
self, have the faith which, but an hour ago, thou 
hadst. 

{Asenath cries — Potiplicrali takes her two liands 
in liis) 

I have no son in whom to confide, and did think 
when I passed away, the Divine origin of our re- 
ligion would be so deeply rooted as never to be 
questioned. 

But thou, my daughter, art in danger and I must 
save thee. Our priesthood is a sham. By trickery 
we have gained power ; by trickery we must hold it, 
even at the cost of taking away thy beautiful faith. 
{Asenath listens in- liorrifiecl astonishment. She 
passes her hands to lur temples and gazes earnestly, 
douhtingly, despairingly into Jicr father's eyes. He 
continues:) 

Our teachings are good. Their observance hath 
made this nation a prosperous and happy people. 
Let the people's faith be weakened and we would 
be outcasts ! The Pharaoh who now sitteth on the 
throne hath in his confidence one who quaileth not 
before us ; who believeth in the God of the Hebrews 
— the One God, Supreme over all nations and peo- 
ples, to whom, in conq->arison. he thinketh Egypt's 
Gods are but pigmies. Through secret messenger 
T have heard he is bold in challenging Egypt's Gods 
against liis God. 

AsENATii: — O, that Tsis were real! Who now can help us? 



ACT III., SCENE I. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 43 

iiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiHiiNW 

Tell me, my father, is the God of the Hebrews a 
real God? 

PoTiPHERAH : — j\Iy child, I know not, yet would I fain be- 
lieve him a myth, even as be Osiris and Isis. Hear 
me further, child : Pharaoh is beloved by his peo- 
ple. He is a great conqueror. He hath divided the 
spoils of his victories ; therefore the people love him. 
To the priests, he hath given vast treasures. We in 
return gave him such flattery that he hath grown 
vain and exacting. When we could not interpret 
his dream, then was he suspicious of our power and, 
turning his back upon us, did consult this Hebrew, 
who hath framed an answer to please him. Our sole 
power over the king now lieth in a trick, which, per- 
chance may be successful. The king will yet have a 
coward conscience. We will meet him and confront 
this Zaphnath-paaneah even as thou hast said, even 
at the wedding feast. Thou shalt marry him. — 

AsENATH : — No ! No ! 

POTIPHERAH : — Yea, my daughter, thou SHALT marry liim : 
but the priests of Egypt shall, through Potipherah, 
gain a victory that shall be a lasting lesson to those 
who would dispute our power. Pharaoh, Zaphnath- 
paaneah, the Royal household, all who set at meat — 
except thee and me, shall rise from the table sight- 
less and shall call piteously for help — Asenath — 
child — look at me— Do not recoil. Let me take thy 
hand : Listen : 

My father sought him roots and plants and from 
them extracted the healing virtues that give relief 
to those in pain. On the river's bank, he found a 
plant whose properties affected the mind, causing a 
sleep to fall upon those to whom he administered. 
From this same plant he took a juice, sweet as wine 
of ]Midian, which, when mixed with wine and drank, 
affected not the mind, but caused the sight to fail, 
leaving such as partook of it in total darkness for 
the space of three days. In the cellars of my house, 
there is enough of this drug to make sightless all the 
men in Pharaoh's army. I will see to it that some 
of this drug appear at the marriage feast. It shall 
be mixed with the wine and shall be poured into 
Pharaoh's cup and into the cups of all those who 
partake of the feast. Only thou and I, my daughter, 



44 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iii., scene i. 

«i"'""i <i" iiniiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Ill iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

shall refrain from drinking. When the terrors of 
darkness shall be felt by the king and those about 
him, and they shall wail and cry and be utterly 
helpless, then will I denounce Pharaoh for forsaking 
the Gods of Egypt, and will say unto him that Isis, 
the Goddess of Light, whose Priestess the king hath 
wantonly taken from her holy duties, hath in Her 
anger, taken from him Her most precious gift, sight ! 
Then, my child, thou wilt be restored to me, a 
virgin. Pharaoh shall be penitent and I will sup- 
plicate Isis that the light of Her glorious sun be 
again allowed him. This shall be granted when the 
three days be fulfilled, and Pharaoh and his seed 
after him will not again invoke the displeasure of 
the Gods. 

(Potiplierali rubs his hands gJofuUij) 
Asenath, it is the mind that is the master. Pha- 
raoh hath a throne, and ten times ten thousand 
warriors to fight his battles; but what are they to 
the knowledge of the secrets of Nature? Here, in 
this head, is stored that which can make the proud- 
est monarch of earth — my plaything! 

Asenath, thou art now the possessor of a secret 
that— 

Asenath: — Speak no more, my fathei"; thy words stab me 
to the heart. I cannot hear any more. — 

PoTU^HERAH : — Child, thou must guard this secret with — 

Asenath : — I will have no secrets. 0. would I had never 
been born. No Isis; no love; no hope! All false, 
false, false ! 

{Asenath cries bitterly) 

PoTiPHERAH : — My child, take it not so to heart. It was 
unkind in me to open thine eyes and blight so noble 
a faith. But it was to save thy body from harm, 
child. My girl, hear me yet a little: The world is 
yet beautiful. There is yet love. Thy father loveth 
thee, child ; loveth thee more tluui liimself. The 
people love thee, child. Thy sweet influence sheddeth 
a light that maketh happy the poor of the land. 
Would 'st thou cloud the minds of all that love thee? 
Think of our people, Asenath. They are glad of 
heart. Do they not go about with a song in their 
mouths? Do they not love one another? Their 
doors are not ])arred. Are there in other lands such 



ACT III., SCENE I. THE 8T0EY OF ASENATH 45 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ 

happy homes? It is Isis, my child, and Osiris and 
Ra, the creations of thy forefather Nor, that have 
made this valley of the river the abode of joy and 
content. Would 'st thou have strife in the land, the 
heathen enter our homes, the people return to bar- 
barian customs, the priests to be driven from the 
land? Say rather, ray child, Isis is still beautiful 
and good. She is to thee a fancy ; to our people, a 
reality. Be Her priestess. Though a mockery, She 
will yet shield thee and keep thee from harm ; and 
Her protecting wings will ever be a safeguard for 
all who put their trust in Her. 

AsENATH : — Father, I am weak and helpless. My thoughts 
wander. I pray thee let me go in solitude awhile. 

PoTiPHERAH : — Asenath, promise me thou wilt not speak to 
others of that I have told thee. 

Asenath : — I am in thy pow'er. 

PoTiPHERAH : — My power can not bridle a woman 's tongue. 
Promise me thou wilt not speak of this matter. 

Asenath : — I promise. 

{Potipherah kisses her hrow and leads her away) 

{Exit) 



46 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act m., sceke ii. 

wiilii III II I III III iiiiiiiiiMii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiniiiiiiw^^^^^^^^ 



ACT 3 

SCENE 2 

Tlie audience chamber in the king's palace: It is a 
polygon-shaped room, dccangidar, ivith walls, floor and 
ceiling of polished cedar wood. Massive cedar pillars sup- 
port the roof. The main entrance is from the northwest. 
A door at the northeast opens into the hanquet hall. The 
only piece of furniture in tlie room is a tlirone of ehony, 
inlaid, ivitli gold. This throne lias three seats, tlie center 
one being a trifle higher than the others. It faces ivest. 

It is the day appointed for the marriage of Zaphnath- 
paaneah and Asenath. 3Iusicians are seated on tlie floor 
opposite the throne. Female dancers stand behinel them 
with timbrels. 

{Enter, a page, who claps his lunids and cries:) 
Page :— The king ! The king ! 

(The musicians immediately strihe up a lively air. 
Six dancers group themselves and await a signal 
from the page. Lancemen and archers march in 
and taJiC up positions at the door. The page signcds 
to the dancers, ivho trip lightly to the door where 
they meet the king. They tvheel around and go 
before him dancing in the direction of tlie throne. 
At intervals during the dance they chant) 
Dancers :— Great is Ra! 

Great is the son of Ra ! 

Pharaoh is the son of Ra. 

Pharaoh is mighty. 

He hath fought ! 

He hath conquered ! 

His enemies flee before him. 

Pharaoh is kind to his people. 

Pharaoh is beloved by his people. 

Let Pharaoh live forever ! 
{Phetraoli takes his seat on the throne. His cjueen 
sits at his left. Court officers distribute about the 
room. Nubian slaves attend tlie queen with fans. 
Felix, the butler, attends the king. The dancing is 
continued, but without chants, the dancers appearing 
singly, in pairs, trios, four, five and six, as the evolu- 
tion of the dance goes on. At its finish, the page 



ACT III., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 47 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiitinniiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ 1 iiiiniiiNii 

appears and claps his ha)ids. The dancers group. 
The page cries aloud) 
Page : — Zaplmatli-paaneah ! Zaplmatli-paaneah ! The bride- 
groom Cometh! 
Pharaoh: — {To page) Bid him welcome. 

{Page signals dancers as he fore. They dance rap- 
idly to the door and meet Zaphnath-paaneah. They 
dance hefore him to the foot of the throne, chant- 
ing:) 
Dancers :— Pharaoh hath a friend. 
He is Zaphnath-paaneah. 
We have come to meet him. 
We bring him unto Pharaoh 
That he may speak words of wisdom unto our 

king. 
Welcome, Zaphnath-paaneah I 
A bridegroom ! 

Who Cometh to meet his bride ! 
She is a virgin. 
She is the flower of Egypt. 
In her heart there is love. 
{Zaphnaili-paancah is heforc Pharaoh. Dancers 
retire to rear of musicians) 
Pharaobl : — Zaphnath-paaneah, thou eomest to meet a 
bride, whom, were my son of discreet age, I would 
gladly give unto him to wife. I give unto thee 
Asenath, daughter of Potipherah. 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — {Starts) Asenath ! 
Pharaoh : — Thou knowest her ? 
Zaphnath-paaneah: — As a most lovable woman. 
Pharaoh: — She is thine. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Pharaoh did make me ruler over 
Egypt. He hath loaded me with honors. Can I 
repay him with my humble service? Pharaoh hath 
now given to me that which is dearer than riches; 
that which is more valued than even the State honors 
thou hast graciously bestowed on thy servant. Ase- 
nath for wife ! INIy king, this is joy beyond measure ! 
Pharaoh : — Zaphnath-paaneah. I have heard thy story and 
know the cause why Deza sought thy life. I do 
remember Asenath at the Feast of Isis, praying for 
thy release from the dungeon — - 
Zaphnatpi-paaneah : — Asenath interceded for me? Glori- 
ous news, my king ! 



48 THE STORY OF ASENATH act m., scene ii, 

iiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiNiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiHiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiN 

Pharaoh : — I do remember how Deza, wishing to see tliee 
hanged, did stay thy execution until such time as 
suiteil her convenience to l)e an eye-witness. I do 
remember this was made a precedent to give thee 
length of days beyond the allotted span of life. I do 
remember Asenath saying with boldness, she did 
believe thee innocent ; — 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Thrice welcome words, king. 

Pharaoh : — And when she heard tliy doom of life imprison- 
ment did witness her taking of the vow of chastity. 
She loved thee, and was broken-hearted. I now 
know thou art innocent of the crime for which thou 
liast suffered. — 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Pharaoh o'erwhelms his servant 
with kindness. 

Pharaoh : — Deza, thy accuser, is dead ; died in shame, false 
to her husband, her home, her Gods. Og, the steward 
of her household, hath published lier iniquity and 
hath confessed himself her contidant in the attempt 
at tliy ruin. 

Zaphnath-paaneah, I, Pharaoh, pronounce thee 
free as a free born Egyptian. I absolve thy reputa- 
tion from all stain. I believe thee a man of virtue 
in whom Asenath shall find an lionored lord and 
husband. 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — Let me kiss tlie liem of Pharaoh's 
garment. 

Pharaoh : — Nay, my hand, Zaphnath-paaneah ; and the 
seat beside us is for thee. — 

{Zaphnoth-paamah kisses f]i< hand (uid (al-es the 
scat) 

'Tis nearing the hour of high noon when Asenath 
and lier father shall arrive. 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — JMy lord, the time of lier coming 
cannot pass too swiftly. 

Pharaoh :^Thou art in love. ^Nlethinks tlie lady is not so 
hurried. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Knoweth she to wliom she is be- 
frothed ? 

Pharaoh : — To Zaphnath-paaneah, ruler of Egypt. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — And she knoweth me not as Joseph '/ 

Pharaoh : — It is my pleasure to see thy surprise and hers. 

Zapnath-paaneah : — Cometh she willingly to the mar- 
• rjage? 



ACT m., SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 49 

riiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH 

Pharaoh: — In that she believeth Isis will shield her from 
harm. To my messengers she herself did say. Bid 
Pharaoh prepare a marriage feast. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — I see Felix, thy bntler, near. Let 
Pharaoh not be displeased if thy servant putteth a 
question to him. 

Pharaoh: — {To Felix) Felix, answer that which Zaph- 
nath-paaneah shall ask thee. 

{Felix bows to Fharaoh eind stands before Zaph- 
nath-paaneah) 

Zaphnath-paaneah:- — {To Felix) Felix, did'st thou de- 
liver unto Asenath the ring I charged thee with 
when in the dungeon ? 

Felix: — {Trembling einel falling) My lord, have pity, 
have pity ! ]Misfortune hath indeed befallen thy 
servant. 

Pharaoh : — What meaneth this fellow ? 

Felix: — My lord, the ring — the ring — the — 

Pharaoh : — Speak to the point, slave : What of the ring ? 

Felix: — ^ly lord, an I tell the truth, all Egypt will say 
I lie. 

Pharaoh : — Speak to the point, or I will have thee lashed ! 

Felix :— The ring was and is not, and I know not where 
it is. 0, merciful Gods, what new evil hath befallen 
me ! 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — Charged I thee on thy life not to 
lose it? 

Pharaoh: — {To Felix) And thy life is already forfeit. 
Officers, away with him ! 

-Zaphnath-paaneah : — Let Pharaoli not be hasty in this 
matter, for indeed the man is contrite. I pray thee 
grant him a space that his tongue may be unloosened 
before us. Percliance his speech may reveal the 
secret hiding of the ring, whicli, by virtue of its 
curious workmanship, the like of which is not on 
earth, may restore it unto me; for I prize this jewel 
as my life. 

Pharaoh: — {To officers who are leading Felix away) 
Officers, bring him again before us. 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — {To Felix) Speak tliat thou know- 
est of the ring and keep back no jot or tittle. 

Felix: — {To Pharaoh) Zaphnatli-paaneah did prophesy 
me that on the Feast of Isis. T. being Pharaoh's cup- 
bearer, should attend thee to On : Then putting 



50 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act m., scene ii. 

llllinill!lll{lllllllllllllllllllllll1llllllllllll!llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli!lllllllllllllll|{llllllllllll!NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIW 



words in my mouth, he hade me tell them unto 
Asenath, the Priestess, and giving the ring into her 
hand, it sliould he potent for his goodwill. The ring. 

king, I cherished and did think most honorahly 
to fulfill his command. On the day that the king 
and his household ■would go to the temple, myself 
heing girded for the journey, did seek my house, 
where, kissing my wife antl hahe good-by, I did 
bethink me that the ring was safe with me. Holding 
it in my hand, my little bal)e perched on my knee, 
did in play reach and take it from me. Quickly his 
little hand conveyed the jewel to his mouth, and, ere 

1 could snatch it forth, was swallowed ; where, stop- 
ping in his throat did cause the babe to wretch and 
cough, and so convulsed himself that he was like 
to die. ]My Avife being crazed Avith grief lest she 
should lose her babe did take him in her arms and 
forthwith ran to the house of Amos, the surgeon. 
Myself being already overstayed, and fearing the 
king's wrath at my absence, did with liurdened heart 
hasten to the palace, where the king, being already 
mounted in his chariot, did command me to mount 
the swiftest horse, and preceding his majesty, bear 
greetings unto Potipherah. 

Glorious was the Feast of Isis. king! All the 
nations of the earth Avere powerless to erpial it in 
splendor ! The Priestess Asenath moved through the 
mysteries even as a CJoddess of Light. king, live 
forever ! Thou Avert greater in majesty than the 
kings of a thousand thrones. ]n ])reseuce of so 
sublime a greatness, thy servant felt humbled like 
unto a beast of burden. INIany times did Asenath 
pass near and as many times did thy servant lash 
himself to speak the lady of Joseph and the ring. 
Fear silenced me. Counselled I : AVhen Asenath 
shall knoAV the ring is not Avith me (and surely it is 
a ring of magic poAver) Avill not the Avrath of the 
Priesthood be on my head? 0, king, the Feast 
ended and my tongue refused me utterance. Return- 
ing Avitli your majesty to ^NFeres. I did quickly seek 
my home; (ssohs) . . . my l)abe Avas not . . . my 
Avife Aveeping. refusing to be comforted, did curse 
the Gods Avho first gave and then took aAvay. Myself 
now knowing and dreading the magic curse of the 



ACT III,, SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 51 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ nil in iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiih 

ring, did bethink me to return it with all speed 
unto Josei^h. To my queries for the jewel, my wife 
replied that Amos did keep it. Then hasted I unto 
Amos and did beseech him to restore unto me the 
ring. Then spake Amos harshly saying : ' " Get thee 
gone, babbler; thy wife did take the ring." With 
my wife, king, threats and entreaties were of no 
avail. She had it not. Amos being a man of power, 
I dared not question further. From that time forth 
was I dumb in the matter and did think the curse 
removed. When Pharaoh dreamed so strangely and 
the seers of Egypt could not interpret, then remem- 
bered I Joseph, and in love for Pharaoh did com- 
mend him to your majesty. 
Pharaoh: — [To Felix) Would'st thou know the ring 

again if it was shown thee? 
Felix: — Your majesty, I would know it among ten thou- 
sand rings. 
Pharaoh : — {To officers) Bemur, Kep, Theman, go you 
to the house of Amos. Bind Amos and search his 
house. Bring Amos before us, and bring with you 
all the jewels that are in his house. 
{Exit fleers) 
{To Felix) Thou shalt confront the surgeon 
before us, 

{Enter page, ii'lio chips liis lieineU anel cries:) 
Page : — Potipherah ! Asenath ! 

Pharaoh: — {To page, who tuts InuU hrfore him) Bid 
them welcome. 

{Page nioiions dancei's. TJitij group, advance as 
before to the door. They nuet Potipherah and 
Asenath and precede them to the tlirone, chanting:) 
Dancers : — Hail, Potipherah ! 

Our great High Priest. 
Thrice welcome Asenath. 
A bride ! 
A joyful bride ! 
Her step is light. 

She Cometh to meet the bridegroom. 
He is here ! 

His soul burnetii with love. 
{Dancing closer to Asenath and circling around 
her) 

Asenath weareth a veil. 



52 THE STOKY OF ASENATH act iii., scene ii. 

Wlllllllllllllllllllllll Mill 1 1 II I I I IIINIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINHIIIIIIIIIinillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllNIIIIIHIINIIIIIIINNIIIIIIIN^ 

To hide the beauty of lier eountenanee. 
In her husband's house her face she will un- 
cover. 
And the glory of her presence shall be his 
delight. 
{Potipherah and Asenath stand before Pharaolx) 
{Singers — daneers — retire to original positions) 
Potipherah : — Pharaoh is king. Thou send 'st for my 

daughter. She is before thee. 
Pharaoh : — To give in marriage to one deserving so beauti- 
ful a bride, sent I for Asenath. 
Potipherah : — ]\Iy lord, she is a virgin, and must ever so 

remain. 
Pharaoh : — The Gods forbid ! 

Potipherah : — The Gods have heard her vow. She is 
sacred. Let not Pharaoh invite the anger of the 
Gods u})on him. I pray thee, most noble king, listen 
to the words of an aged priest: Send the girl home 
in peace. 
Pharaoh : — Thy daughter hath registered an oath, yet. it 
seemeth unto me, one that binds her not. It is my 
pleasure that she marry Zaphnath-paaneah. {Point- 
ing to Joseph) Behold tliy son. — 

{Potipherah sees Zaphneith-paaneah for the first 
time, and recognizes him. Be gives a slight start) 
Thou knowest him? 
Potipherah : — To my sorrow. 

Pharaoh: — {To Zeiphnath-paaneah ) Zaphnath-paaneah, 
claim thy bride. Give her in our presence the kiss 
of truth tliat shall bind thee and her in holy wed- 
lock. 

{Zaphneith-paaneah rises from his s<at and ael- 
vances toward Asenath. Potipherah places her hand 
in Zaphnath-paan<ah's and retires a few steps. 
When As( neitli fects the touch of Zaphnalh-paaneah's 
hand, there is a stight tremhling of her frame. Zaph- 
nath-paaneah lifts her veil and drops it hack over 
her head. He hends over to Mss her. Site lifts her 
eyes and meets his gaze. She recognizes liim, starts 
involuntarily, disengages her hand, and, as it were, 
shrinl's from him and clings to her fatlier. She 
exclaims:) 
Asenath : — No, no ! He is unclean ! 

{Potipherah gazes defianthj at Zaphnath-paaneah 
and Pharaoh) 



ACT III., SCEXE 11. THE STORY OF ASENATH 53 

Jiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinitiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim 

Pharaoh :—( To Asenath) Asenath, tliovi hast listened to 
a false accuser. I, Pharaoh, pronounce him guilt- 
less. 

PoTiPHERAH : — {To PharaoJi) The proof, ni}' lord. 

Pharaoh : — Is here. — 

{To Potiphar) Potiphar, stand forth. — 
{To officers) Officers, fetch Og and stand him 
before us. 

{Exit officers) 
{To Potiphar) Potiphar, thou art a brave sol- 
dier, and it grieveth me to call on thee to speak of 
thy home troubles before this company. I, Pharaoh, 
would show unto Potipherah and unto Asenath that 
an innocent man hath suffered from a grave charge 
made against him by Deza, who was thy wife. Now 
I would have thee say unto Potipherah and unto 
Asenath that which thy heart dictates, whether the 
words of Deza, which she cried unto thee, saying of 
thy former steward : ' ' Hath he not assaulted thy 
wife?" should be believed. 

Potiphar : — The words of Deza were the words of a 
strumpet. 

Potipherah: — {To Potiphar) Potiphar did believe them. 

Potiphar : — Until with my own eyes did I witness her 
shame. She died a harlot. 

{Enter officers with Og) 

Pharaoh: — {To Potiphar, and pointing to Og) Knowyou 
this man? 

Potiphar : — He is Og, my steward. 

Pharaoh : — How long hath he been of thy household ? 

Potiphar: — His whole life. 

Pharaoh : — Thou art excused — 

{Potiphar retires) 
{To Og) Og, thou art before me to tell what thou 
knowest of the relations between Deza and Joseph 
before the time Joseph was cast into prison. 

{Og tremhtes violently; gazes helplessly into the 
faces of Potipherah, Zaphnath-paancah, Potiphar 
and Pharaoh: then falls prostrate before Pharaoh) 
Rise man and speak boldly. 

Og : — Let Pharaoh have mercy on thy servant, for indeed I 
was blameless. 

Pharaoh : — Speak not of thyself. 

Og: — My master went to the wars, leaving Deza to bewail 
his long absence. She became enamoured of Joseph ; 



54 ill I sLoin or VSCN VTH vct m , S( ene n. 



and liei" enticement, lie strove to avoid. It came to 
Deza's ears that Joseph and Asenath loved each the 
other. Then was she jealous and did seek his ruin, 
even so madly as to press me into being an accom- 
plice. Joseph was taken unawares. His coat w^as 
taken from him in malice. In her outcry she de- 
ceived mj" lord Potiphar. 
Asenath : — {Wlio has hcoi an eager listener, advances to 
0(j) Thou art the man from whose lips I heard the 
traitrous words that doomed him. 
Og : — ]\Iost noble priestess, Deza then lived. Og was her 

servant. 
Asenath : — Thou lied'st before Pharaoh! 

{Og droops his head and fedls prosfralr before 
Pharaoh) 
Og:— 0, king, live forever! Have mercy on thy unhappy 
servant. Life is coveted by a dog. 'Twas life I 
craved. 
Pharaoh: — Thou hast served a purpose and I give thee 
life. The punishment that was meted unto Joseph 
shall be thine. 

{To officers) Officers, away with him. 

{Exit officers tvith Og) 
{Meanwhile Zaphnath-paaneah and Asenatli ex- 
change glances. He edges toward lier. 8he edges 
away from him to her father and clings to her 
father's arm. Pharaoh tvatches the movements, 
apparently an amused spectator) 

{Enter officers with Amos and jewels. Amos, who 
is hound, wears an expression of fear. He stands 
before the king) 
Pharaoh : — {To Amos) Amos, a certain ring belonging to 
Asenath, the Priestess, is lost. Felix, my butler, in 
whose custody the ring was, says thou hast it; that 
thou did'st take it from the throat of his babe, who 
had swallowed it in play. Hast thou the ring? 
Amos: — Your majesty, I have not seen the ring since the 

day the babe was brought unto me. 
Pharaoh: — {To officers) Bring hither the jewels you did 
find in the house. — 

{They bring them forward) 
{To Felix) . Felix, can'st thou find the ring 
among these ? 

{Felix examines them, but finds it not) 



ACT III., SCEXE 11. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 55 

iiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiinii iiiiiiiiiiNiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiw i i 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 iiiiiiiiii 

Felix : — It is not here. 

Pharaoh: — {To officers) Searched you the lioiise thor- 
oughly '] 

First Officer : — Every room and closet, your majesty'. 

Pharaoh: — {To Zaphnath-paancah) 'Tis strange. He- 
seemeth to have it not. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — {To rharaoh) My lord, and I have 
found favor in thy sight, I will Show the king where, 
if Amos hath the ring, it can be found. 

Pharaoh : — Speak on, Zaphnath-paaneah. 

Zaphnath-p.\a.neah : — Amos hath many costly jewels which 
he doth hide jealously from the gaze of his fellow 
men. In his beard is woven a pocket. The manner 
of its weaving I taught him. I know by the peculiar- 
shape of his lieard the pocket is in it now. ]f Amos 
hath the ring, there it can be found. 

Pharaoh: — {To officers) Officers, you have heard the 
words of Zaphnath-paaneah. Search the beard of 
Amos. 

{They search the heard and take from it several 
gems. The first officer carries the jewels to Pha- 
raoh) 

Show them unto Felix. 

{They do so. Felix examines and pichs out the 
lost ring) 

Felix : — {To Pharaoh) Here is the ring, my lord ! 

Pharaoh : — {To Zaphnath-paaneah) Is the ring which 
Felix holdeth the one thou gavest him to convey to 
Asenath ? 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — {Takes the ring from Felix) My 
lord, it is the ring. 

Pharaoh: — {To Amos, tvlio stands sullenly) Amos, I am 
Pharaoh. Thon hast dared to speak a lie unto me. 
Thou knowest the penalty. {To officers) Officers, 
away with him. 

{They lead him aivay. Zaphnath-paaneah has the 
ring. He takes it to Asenath and goes on his knee 
before her) 

Zai'HNAth-paaneah: — {To Asenath) Asenath, thou hast 
heard the words of Pharaoh and of Potiphar and of 
Og. Have they not shown thee I am Joseph, whom 
thou once did'st love? Have they not shown thee I 
am guiltless of the crime for which but even now 
thou spurnd 'st me ? 



56 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iii.. scene ii. 

"iiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiii I iiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiniii iii::iiiiiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiii ii iiiiiiiiiiiniii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiuii i mi iniiin uiiiin iiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniin 

AsENATii:— ( IFcfps) 0, sir, 1 know thou art true. These 
years 1 have thought evil of thee and wronged thee. 
Thou ean'st not love me now. 

Zaphnath-paaxeah : — Asenath, I love thee. See this ring: 
thou gavest it unto me as the shield of the nughty 
priesthood, should misfortune befall me. Let Ase- 
nath now wear the ring, and I, Zaphnath-])aaneah, 
whom Pharaoh hath set above his people, I will 
shield thee and be unto thee a husband. 

PoTiPHERAH: — {To Zaph uatJi -paaucah) Sir, I have heard 
of thee that thou worshippest a strange God, whom 
the Egyptians know not. How ean'st thou love and 
cherish one who is chief priestess of Isis? 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Most reverend Priest, the teachings 
of Isis are love, honor and charity. I bow unto these 
virtues. To the Great One, the God of my fathers, 
I answer for these same teachings. Preach thou Isis 
and Osiris and Ra. They are Great. They be the 
Gods of Egypt. Let Asenath continue to serve them 
if it be her will. I only ask of her the duties of a 
wife. 

PoTiPHERAH : — The maid can choose between thee and me. 

Asenath: — {To Zaphnaih-paancah) Thy house shall be 
my house ; thy God, my God ; thy people, my people. 
{Zaphnath-paaneah gives the marriage kiss. He 
places the ring upon her finger, takes her hand and 
leads her to the foot of the throne, where they kneel 
before Pharaoh) 

Pharaoh: — {To company) I, Pharaoh, have made a mar- 
riage feast unto these two. Let us make merry. 
Zaphnath-paaneah, arise, take thy bride ; for shall 
she not drink from my cup. To the banquet hall ! 

{Z a ploiath-paaneah and Asenath arise, hold hands 
and gaze long and lovingly into each otJier's eyes. 
The dancers group, perform an evolution before the 
throne and precede Pharaoh and his queen to the 
banquet Jiall. Courtiers and others follow, leaving 
only Zapli naih-paaneah , Asenath and Potipherah in 
the room. Potipherah stands apart) 

Asenath: — {To Zaphnath-paaneah) My husband, let me, 
I pray thee, speak a word nnto my father. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — As many as thou wilt, Asenath. 

{Asenath goes to her father and speaks to him in 
an underto7ie) 



ACT III.. SCENE II. THE STORY OF ASENATH 57 

iiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ i 

AsENATH :— ^ly father, poison not the wine ; it will not 

serve thee now. 
PoTiPHERAH : — Thou speakest truly, my child ; it will not 
serve nie now. {Kisses her) I will bless the wine 
and withhold the potion for thy . . . thy sake — 
{Potipherah leads Asenath to Zaphnath-paaneah) 
Zaphnath-paaneah, use her well. She is delicately 
bred. 1 loved her. Thou hast taken her from me. 
She is thine. Swear unto me by thy God thou wilt 
be true to her. 

{Zaphnath-paaneah places his hand upon his 
thigh) 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — By the God of Israel, I swear it. 

( Reenter dancers, shouting) 
Dancers : — Come to the marriage feast ! 
Pharaoh himself is there 
To welcome the bride and the bridegroom. 
The meat is served, 
The wine is brought in. 
Haste to the feast ! 
To the feast of joy and gladness ! 
Come, follow ! Come, follow ! Come, follow ! 
{They dance out of the room into the banquet hall. 
Zaphnath-paaneah proudly leads his bride after 
them. Potipherah slowly brings up the rehr. He 
turns back and soliloquizes) 
Potipherah :— How desolate feels this heart ! My child, 
mine only child, has left me ! Where be the fond 
hopes I cherished that she would comfort my old 
age ? Gone. Gone. 

{Pauses awhile as though recalling past scenes) 
An infant, prattling in my arms. How I loved 
her then ! — A laughing girl, fleet of foot and strong 
of limb. How proud I was of my little girl ! A 
maiden budding into womanhood — ay, rightly named, 
The Flower of Egypt. How I worshipped her! A 
Priestess, of beauty peerless. 0, what a treasure had 
I in her ! 

She has left me ... in my old age. And I fain 
would think harshly of her ; but I cannot. Nay, she 
shall have my blessing, both her and — Nay ! Not 
him ! Shall I fondle a viper ? Hath Potipherah 
weakened ? Shall I in my power bow to a stripling ! 
Shall I see the fruit of my loins graft with the seed 



58 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iii., scene ii. 

I III I I iiiiiniiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiniiiiniiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiniy^ 



of a shepherd ! Old mau, thou art not conquered. 
This potion — 

{Producing a phiol) 
shall yet do its work. I will bless the wine — with a 
curse — a curse as black as blindness ! . . . ]\[y 
daughter shall return with nie to On this night. 
{Exit to hanqnet hall) 



(CURTAIN) 



ACT IV. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 59 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 



ACT 4 

The audience chamber in the king's palace. Two sentries 
stand at the door of the hancjuct hall. Sounds of revelry 
from within. 

First Sentry: — Pharaoh is in merry humor. Hark! that's 

the king's laugh; 'tis an honest good hiugh, fellow. 
Second Sentry : — Ay, and a laugh that says good wine for 

all his household this night — 
First Sentry : — And good eating ! I did hear Felix — 
that's the king's butler — I did hear him say unto the 
waiting men : Open the storehouse of preserved 
meats. Pharaoh giveth to every man his fill this 
day. What thinkest thou of that, fellow '? 
Second Sentry : — And I did hear Felix — that 's the king 's 
butler — I did hear him say: Bring forth ten casks 
of wine — ten casks ! Every man of the King 's house- 
hold shall be drunken this night. 
First Sentry: — And the baker hath orders to give cakes 

and sweetmeats ! 
Second Sentry: — I would the king made a marriage feast 

every day — 
First Sentry: — To fill our stomachs withal. ]\Iy verj^ 
mouth waters with expectancy. 

{A slight shriek is heard) 
Second Sentry : — Hark ! what is that ? 

{The shriek is repeated) 
First Sentry : — By the holy cow ! 'tis a woman 's cry. 

{Felix comes running from the banquet hall) 
Felix: — {To first sentry) A physician! Haste, fellow; 
the king's physician. Bring him hither. 
{Exit sentry) 
{To second sentry) The queen's waiting maids — 
summon them on the instant. 

{Exit sentry. Felix paces up and down excitedly) 

She is dying, the lovely Asenath, the bride. But 

a minute ago, a joyful bride ; now — no, not dead ! She 

is too beautiful to die ! Where tarries the physician ! 



60 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iv. 

«iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii{iiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiii{iiiiiniiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiw 

'Tis an age since I sent for him ! — He cometli — 
{Enter physician) 
( To physician ) Haste, haste ! 
Physician: — Why this hurried summons? The king! Is 

he sick? 
Felix : — The king is well. The bride, Asenath, did sit at 
meat, when, as it were on the instant, while yet a 
smile lingered on her lips, turned pale as death ; her 
two hands she placed to her eyes, then swiftly remov- 
ing, she gazed vacantly as one bewitched ; next she 
uttered a shriek that affrighted all, then fell into a 
swoon, in the which, thou 'It find her. Haste — 
{Exit physician) 
{Enter waiting maids) 
{To maids) Maids, attend the lady Asenath. 

{Exit Felix and maids) 
{Enter Pharaoh, groping his way as though hlind. 
Following enter a miscellaneous assemhlagc^the 
courtiers who sat at the feast all blindly groping; 
the servants all with good eyesight) 
Pharaoh : — A light ! Bring a light ! 
First Sentry : — The king is mad ! A light, quoth he, did'st 

hear, fellow? 
Second Sentry : — Methinks the whole court is mad. See 

how they grovel. 
Pharaoh: — A light! Where be the varlet slaves? This 
strange darkness frights me. 

{Court women wail and cry. Courtiers in their 
groping run against each other and the king, making 
the utmost co7ifusion) 
Pharaoh : — Potiphar ! 
PoTiPHAR : — Here, my lord. 

Pharaoh : — Come hither, I would take thy hand. 
Potiphar : — My lord, 'tis so black a darkness, I cannot find 

my way. 
Pharaoh : — Oah ! 
Oah : — Here, my lord. 
Pharaoh : — Come thou hither. 

Oah: — My lord, I need a light. I'll reach thee if naught 
balks me. 

{Oah. goes toward the king, hut is stopped by 
pillars, blind courtiers, etc.) 
Pharaoh : — Felix ! 

{No answer) 



ACT IV. THE STOKY OF ASENATH 61 

iiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiKiiiiiiiiuiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiii i ii iiiiiii hiiiiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiii 

PiiAROAH : — Felix ! 

{Felix comes from ihe banquet liall. He kneels 

before Pharaoh) 
Felix: — Thy servant, my lord. What woiild'st thou? 
Pharaoh : — A light, varlet. Bring a light ! 
Felix: — My lord, it is broad day. 
Pharaoh: — Thou liest, coward! Thou'rt afraid of this 

darkness ! Bring hither a light ! 
Felix : — ^ly lord, no light must shine against the Sun. 

Thou 'It anger the Gods. 
Pharaoh : — The Sun shineth not, fool. Where is Zaphnath- 

paaneah? 
Felix: — In the banquet hall, my lord. Asenath lieth there 

as one dead. 
Pharaopi : — Bid Zaphnath-paaneah come hither. 

{Exit Felix) 
First Sentry : — The king hath his fill of wine. 
Second Sentry : — By Sphynx, the whole court is well filled. 
First Sentry : — Would that I carried so much liquor 

within. 
Second Sentry:— Thou 'It do it tonight, or die in the 

attempt. 

{Both laugh) 
{Enter Zaphnath-paaneah. He advances to Pita 

raoh) 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — My lord, I await thy pleasure. 
Pharaoh : — Zaphnath-paaneah, what meaneth this dark- 
ness ? 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — What darkness, my lord 1 
Pharaoh : — Art thou a scoffer, too ? 
Zaphnath-paaneah: — ]\Iy lord, the Sun is high in the 

heavens. I have eyes and see. , 

Pharaoh : — What see 'st thou ? 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — I see the king and all his courtiers 

who did sit at meat with him, feeling about them as 

though in the dark. 
Pharaoh: — Thou hast cat's eyes. 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — Thy servants see as I see. 
Pharaoh : — Potiphar seeth not. 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — My lord, 1 grieve to tell thee : thou 

art stricken blind. 
Pharaoh: — Blind! Blind! Art sure? 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — My lord. I fear treason. Thou and 

those who sat at meat with thee are equally helpless. 



62 THE STOEY OF ASENATH ACTiv. 

iiiNiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw iiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

Pharaoh : — Treason ! Helpless ! — I hear the menials scoff 

— 1 am betrayed. What shall I do? 
Zaphnath-paaneah: — If treason, king, the traitor shall 

die. — 

{To soldiers) Captains, stand around your 

king— 

{Eight captains advance and form a hody guard 

arounel the Icing. Joseph next hechons to four of 

them) 

{To four captains) Thou, and thou, and thou, 

and thou, stand forth. 

{The four captains advance Ixforc him) 
Gather ye your companies. Guard the four 

gates of the palace: — thou, the east ; thou, the north; 

thou, the west; thou, the soutli. J^'t none leave the 

house. Command your men that they speak not a 

word to any outside the walls. To your stations on 

the instant ! 

{Exit the four captains) 
{To Potiphar) Potiphar. 
Potipiiar : — I hear thee. 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — Knowest thou if any neighboring 

nations show a warlike front ? 
Potiphar : — Three kings have sworn to conquer Egypt. 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — And would pillage the land if 

chance offered? 
Potiphar : — Worse : They have sworn to make the river 

flow crimson with the blood of our women and chil- 
dren. Three bestial hordes are ready to fall upon us 

and wipe the name of Egypt — 
Pharaoh: — Hold! Thou hast said enough. Picture not 

thy horrors. Caii'st think of no way to save the 

land? 
Potiphar : — ]\Iy lord, I, too, am blind, as thou art. Can a 

soldier fight without eyes ? I have lost heart. 
Pharaoh : — My great general, Potiphar, helpless ! 0, 

Egypt, Egypt, where is now thy strength ! 
Zaphnath-paaneah: — {To Pharaoh) Courage, my lord. 

Thou hast jet to confess a weakness. Thou art king. 

Egypt loves thee. So long as Pharaoh liveth, no 

conquering nation shall cross thy boundary. 
Pharaoh: — What would 'st thou do? 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — My lord, none without the palace 

knoAv of this calamit.y which hath befallen thee. 



ACTiv. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 63 

mill I I I mil iiiiiiiiii I iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiilnii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i iiiiiiiin inn ii mil 

Command a silence of all within the palace that no 

word of it be spoken abroad. 

{To PotipJiar) Potiphar, thou hast trusty men. 

Make of them heralds to bring thee tidings from the 

frontier. Thou canst strengthen the weak places 

wdth reinforcements and ])ar the entrance of all 

strangers to the land. 
Pharaoh : — Thou counsellest wisely — most w'isely. 

{Enter Foliplurah leading Asenalli) 
Zaphnath-paaneah : — {To Tharaoh) There be physicians 

in the palace. Have they not skill to restore sight to 

the blind .' There is yet hope — 
PoTiPHERAii : — There Is no hope. 
Ppiaraoh : — Potipherah ? 
POTiPHERAH : — I, Potipherah, make known the vengeance 

of Isis. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, look no more upon 

the sun. 
Pharaoh : — A visitation from Isis, priest ? How have I 

offended ? 
Potipherah : — Thou hast defied the Priest of the Sun. 
Pharaoh : — Not in anger. 
Potipherah : — Thou hast wantonly taken a priestess from 

the altar. 
Pharaoh : — Not in mischief, priest ; to right a w^rong. 
Potipherah : — Thou hast consulted a strange God. 
Pharaoh: — ^"Who answered that w'hich thou could 'st not. 
Potipherah : — The Gods reveal not the future. 
Pharaoh : — I have learned that which shall come to pass. 
Potipherah : — Thou art a gulled king. Foretold the Hebrew 

prophet thy blindness? . . . Thou art silent. ... A 

Hebrew cheated thy forefather, Ramenes. The law 

is written : an Egyptian shall not eat with one of 

this race. Thou hast made a feast unto a Hebrew 

soothsayer. 
Pharaoh : — I serve Isis. 
Potipherah : — As a weakling. Thy excuses but make thy 

offense the more damnable ! Thinkest thou the 

tongue can deceive She who readcth the heart ! 
Pharaoh : — Silence, priest ! 
Potipherah : — Thou would 'st still defy me. Let the proud 

Pharaoh now humble himself. In the name of Isis. 

I curse thee ! 
Pharaoh : — ]\Iercy, priest ! Mercy ! Curse me not in the 

dark. Give me sight and I will face thee, even 

though thou be a devil. 



64 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iv. 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiNiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ 

PoTiPHERAH : — The night that is come upon thee shall last 
thy lifetime : thou shalt wish for morning ; thou shalt 
pray for death. Thou art strong, yet weaker than a 
fly! Thou art the great Pharaoh, yet shalt thou be 
led about as a little child. Thou had'st the courage 
of a bull : hereafter a leaping frog shall fright thee. 
Thou shalt eat without enjoyment, drink without 
mirth. Thy people shall love thee, yet shalt thou 
not see them. Thy queen, whom thou lovest ten- 
derly, she shall share thy misery — 

Pharaoh : — She hath not sinned. Spare her — 

PoTiPHERAH : — Thy sin is visited upon her and upon the 
princes of thy house ! 

Pharaoh : — This is more than I can bear. 

{Pharaoh falls on Ids face before PotipJicrali ) 

0, Priest, spare my wife ; spare my princes ; let 
thy curse fall only on me. The Gods be kind and 
those I have wronged sutfer not. 

POTIPHERAH : — Thou art penitent. Barest thou ask of me 
mercy for thy house? Thou whose blackened soul 
hath closed my daughter's eyes! 

Pharaoh : — 0, black despair ! To whom shall I turn ! 

POTIPHERAH: — Go to thy chaml)er, king: humble th.yself; 
cry aloud unto Isis. An thou dost truly repent, per- 
adventure she will hear thee. Beseech Her not for 
thyself, but rather for those whom thy sin hath 
cursed, that they be saved from a living death. 

Pharaoh :^I will supplicate day and night. 

PoTiPHERAii : — {To captains) Captains, lead your king to 
his chamber. 

{TJie four captains leacl PharaoJi away) 

PoTiPHAR: — {To Potiphcrah) Most Holy Priest, give unto 
me thy blessing that I too may pray unto Isis. 

PoTiPHERAH : — What wouldst thou ask of Her '? 

PoTiPiiAR: — That the curse ])e lifted from Pharaoli. 

PoTiPHERAH : — Most bravc and faithful soldier : what a 
treasure hath the king in thou ! Pray for him, Poti- 
phar, pray earnestly. Thy prayer shall be heard in 
highest heaven. 

{To servants) Servants, ye know your masters: 
lead them unto their chambers and abide with them 
until the wrath of Isis be assuaged. 

{The servants leael off all who are blind, except 
Asenatli. Potipherah gazes triumphantly after the 



ACT IV. THE STORY OF ASENATH 65 

giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I I III iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw II nil 

departing princes. Zaplinatli-paancah advances to 
Asenath and takes lier Jiand. Asenath recognizes Ms 
touch.) 

Asenath : — My husband ! 

Zaphnath-paaneaii : — {Embracing her) My wife! 

{PotipJierah discovers Z aphnath-paaneah and. 
Asenath together) 

PoTiPHERAH: — {To Zaplinatli-poaneah) Thou doubly- 
damned knave. Give me back my daughter ! 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — I have the greater right to her. 

PoTiPiiERAH : — Thou stoled 'st her. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Pharaoh commanded. 

PoTiPHERAH : — By thee advised. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — By none advised. 

POTIPHERAH: — {To Ascnatli) Asenath, come hither. 

Asenath : — My father, command me not. ]\Iy husband 
stands before thee. 

POTIPHERAH : — Come peacefully, child, ere Potipherah com- 
mand thee. 

Asenath : — I will not come back to thee. 

Potipherah : — Thou shalt rue this day, girl. 

Asenath : — Use not thy threats. I have promised thee to 
hide a secret — I, who now stand before thee sight- 
less. Thou hast deceived me. Shall I not betray 
thee? 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — {To Potiphar) :\Iost vile, unnat- 
ural father! To further thy ambition, thou hast 
banished sight from this innocent girl, — thine own 
flesh and blood. 

Potipherah : — Thou liest ! 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — I drank not of thy poisoned wine. 

Potipherah : — I poisoned not the wine. 

Zaphnath-paaneah: — Potipherah, thou liest! Though 
thou be priest of On, expounder of truth, I brand 
thee a trickster and a liar. The wine thou didst 
bless is in yonder room. Thou shalt drink of it a 
cupful to the dregs, before me. 

Potipherah : — I will not drink for thee. 

Zaphnath-paaneah :— Thou shalt drink, or I force thee. 

Potipherah :— Insolent fool, who are thou that darest defy 
me ! 



66 THE STORY OF ASENATH act iv. 

iiiiiiiiiniuiiiiiiiiiiiiifliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw 

Zaphnath-paaneaii : — Zaplmath-paaueah, ruler of Egypt ! 

Knowest lliou this? 

{Zaphnath-paancah cxicnds a finger circled ivith 

Fharaoh's ring) 
POTiPHERAH : — The royal seal ! 
Zaphnath-paaneaii : — What sayest thou now, priest ? 

{PotipJierali Jx)iccls) 
PoTiPHERAH : — Thou art a greater than I. 
Zaphnath-paaneaii : — ^Miserable priest, thou shalt drink of 

the wine. 
Asenath : — ^ly husband, I beseech thee, be lenient unto 

him. He is my father. 
Zaphnath-paaneaii : — And thou art blind, Asenath. An 

eye for an eye is priestly justice ; yea, kingly justice ; 

yea, heavenly justice! lie shall drink the cup to 

the dregs. 
Asenath : — Forgive him, Joseph. Thou hast conquered. 

He will do thy bidding ; but do not make him thy 

slave. 
Zaphnath-paaneaii: — Pharaoh, Potiphar, Oah, — all the 

princes of the court be in agony of darkness. 
Asenath : — I kuow 'tis so, yet in three days shall they all 

see. 
Zaphnath-paaneaii : — How knowest thou ? 

Asenath : — The drug is potent but for the space of three 
days. {To Potipherali) 0, my father, why didst 
thou deceive me ? 

PoTiPHERAH: — ^ly child, I could not part with thee. {To 
Zaphnath-paancah) Zaphnath-paaneah, Egypt's 
strength lietli in the sanctuary. Pharaoh would tear 
Asenath from the altar; would belittle the priest- 
hood ; would ruin Egypt. The drug I did put in the 
wine was but a ruse to frighten the king. How well 
I have succeeded, thou knowest. 

Asenath: — 'Tis a pardonable offense, my husband. Thou 
wouldst not destroy Isis. She maketh the homes of 
Egypt so pleasant to dwell in. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Far be it from me, Asenath, to 
weaken thy people's faith. 

Asenath: — And thou wilt forgive my father? 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Thy father shall make a covenant 
with me. {To Potipherah) Potipherah, give thy 
right hand to Asenath. 



\Li i\ I Hi si()K\ oi \-^l \ \ I II 67 

{I'uliphuah ini/s Jtis right liand In As< nalk's Uft 
Jiaitd. Zaphiiallt-paaitcah puis his right hand in. 
AsoKith's right hand) 

Let thy daiigliter be witness l)etween us. 

PoTiPiiERAii : — I consent. 

Zapiinatii-paaneaii : — Thou art Priest of On ; I am ruler of 
Egypt; Pharaoh is king. Thou serve thy Gods and 
the king ; I will not hinder thee. I serve my God 
and the king; thou shalt not hinder me. Let the 
king rule. 

PoTii'iiERAii : — It is well. 

{AscnatJi disengages h< r fath< r's hand. Hv turns 
to leave) 

AsENATH : — My father, give me I pray thee thy blessing. 

{Fotiphcrah. faces her. His counte)iance ivears a 
Ixinclly c.rprcssion ) 

POTiPiiERAii : — Ay, eliild — for thou art still my ehild — I 
will bless thee and thine : 

jMay thy days be many, and thy every day full of 
joy. 

May thy children, and thy children's children to 
the fourth generation, delight thee. 

May thy husband ever love thee as thou lovest 
him. {To Zaphnath-paaneali) Zaphnath-paaneah, 
thou art Avise beyond thy years. Thou art honest in 
thy worship. The covenant between thee and me 
shall be marked with an altar to thy God in the 
temple of On. 

Zaphnatii-paaneah : — Nay, priest, I would not violate thy 
traditions. Thou givest reverence to the kid and 
the heifer. My fathers sacrifice the flesh of the kid 
and the heifer upon their altars. 

Asenath : — j\Iy husband, thou nnist have a place of wor- 
ship in this land. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — That place is everywhere, Asenath, 
wherever I be. 

Asenath : — And needest thou no temple ? 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Can a temple made with hands equal 
the firmament? {To PotipJierah) Prince Poti- 
pherah, let us be friends. Thou hast been gracious 
indeed to offer unto me a privilege in the temple of 
Isis. Give me, I pray thee, at On, a space of ground 
on which to place a stone that shall record the 
covenant between thee and me. 



68 THE STOEY OF ASP]NATH act iv. 

lllljl!|il!iinl|!INIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIiqi:ildl!IIIIXII1!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIin 

PoTiPHERAii : — Tilt' ground is thine: \t'a. at the very gate 
of the temple. 

Zapiinath-paaneaii : — A single pillar, hewn solid from the 
rock, shall point heavenward, a lunte witness that 
in the vastness of spaee there dwelleth the Great 
One. whose name eaniiot he spoken, to wIkhu 1 l)ow. 

ASENATII : — And I. 

PoTiPHERAii : — Egypt shall reverence the God of the He- 
hrews forever ! 

CUKTAIN 



ACT v., SCENE I. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 69 

iiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiin^ iiiiiiiiii i i i i ii in ii iiii 



ACT 5 

SCENE 1 

A street in Mercs. 
{Citizens arc gathered. There is muck excitement) 

First Citizen : — See, here coiuetli another messenger from 
the palace. Let us stop him and learn the cause. 

Second Citizen : — Nay. He is sworn to secrecy. Seest thou 
not he carries the white flag? He goes to the army 
with despatches, and 'tis death to whoever delays 
him. 

{Enter a mcssen<j( r, runiiiiKj. lie (joes his ivay 
unJii net creel) 

First Citizen : — By Osiris, I like not this suspense. Three 
days have passed since any but these messengers of 
the white flag have entered or left the Palace. We 
must know the cause. 

Second Citizen : — Pharaoh is a wise king. Have thou 
patience yet another day. Is not Potiphar within 
the gates, and Zaphnath-paaneah, and Potipherah? 
Be they not in council with the king ? Thinkest thou 
it is well that affairs of state be published ? 

First Citizen : — Thou talkest like a fool ! A council last 
three days ! A conspiracy, thou meanest. That may 
last three days and demand the gates be closed. By 
my faith in Osiris, I believe the king is prisoner in 
his own house ! 

Third Citizen : — Or bewitched. 

Fourth Citizen : — Or sick unto death. 

First Citizen: — Or dead. I am for knowing. Who is 
with me? 

Voices : — I ! 

Voices : — Here ! 

Voices: — We be all with thee! 

Third Citizen: — See, here comes another messenger from 
the Palace. 

First Citizen : — Stop him ! 

Second Citizen : — Ye do so at your peril. 



70 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act v., scene i. 

ijiiniiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiniiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw 



First (.'itizen : — Stop him I 

{Enter messenger, running) 
Halt ! 

[He confronts the messenger and stops him. Sev- 
eral of the crowd assist and the messenger is a pris- 
oner) 
Messenger: — In the King's name, let me pass. 
First Citizen.- — Not until tlion hast told us of the King. 
Messenger : — I Avill tell ye notliing . 
First Citizen : — Thou shalt t(41 us everything. 
^Messenger : — I carry the white flag. .My mouth is sealed to 
all, save one. He is of the army. In the King's 
iiaiiic. let me pass. 
First Citizen : — Is the King well'? 

{The mcsseng<r is silent) 
P^iRST CrnzKN : — Is Potiphar Avell ? 

[llti )nessenger remains silent) 
First Citizen: — Hast tliou seen tlie Jviug. or Potiphar since 
the doors of the Palace were closed? 
( Still no answer) 
First Citizen: — 1 have asked of thee siin])lc questions and 
thou art silent. Unless tliou dost answi-r yea, or nay, 
we shall know there is a conspii-acy against the King. 
I ask thee again : Is the King well .' 

{The mtssfng<r jyniains silent) 
First Citizen: — {To crowd) Did I not say unto you: 

There is a conspiracy in the Palace ? 
Ti!ii;i) CiTi/.EX : — Ay. and he, the uicssenger, is of tlie con- 
spirators. 
Voices : — Conspirator ! 

{The messenger fares badhj at the liands of tin 
crowd and fears for liis life. He wcal-ots) 
Messenger: — No! No! I serve tlie king. There is no coii- 

spirac}'. 
First Citizen: — Sol Now thou \vilt talk? 

Messenger : — The King is hlind. 

Voices : — Blind ! 

First Citizen :-^( To messoiger) Now it grieves me thou 

hast spoken, for thy tidings are indeed evil. 
Third Citizen: — {To messenger) Is Potiphar well? 
Messenger : — He, too, is l)lind. 
First Citizen: — {To messenger) Potiphar blind? Thy 

mouth is charged with evil tidings. 



ACT v., SCENE I. THE STORY OF ASENATH 71 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM 

Messenger: — Tliou hast brought tliein I'ortli. Now that I 

have spoken aud thou hast heard, I again say unto 

thee, and to all of ye: In the King's name, let me 

pass. 
FuisT Citizen : — Nay, sir messenger, thou shalt enlighten us 

further. By what misfortune hath so dreadful a 

visitation come upon Pharaoh and Potiphar .' 
Messenger : — It is the curse of Ra-appa. They have sat at 

meat with one who is of the Hebrews. 
Voices : — Ka-appa ! 
Voices : — ^Woe unto Pharaoh. 
A^oicES : — Woe unto Potiphar. 
Voices : — Woe unto our beloved King. 
Voices : — Woe unto the noble Potiphar. 
Voices: — AVoe unto Egypt. 

{WJiile the people are heweiiling, ihe messenger 

escapes and goes Ids ivay) 

{A man of patriarclial eippeara)iee jnounis a sioeA. 

He claps liis hands violently. The people give him 

attention) 
NuABA: — I am Nuaba, the story-teller. I speak the truth. 

I know this Hebrew who hath brought the curse 

upon Pharaoh and upon Potiphar. 
First Citizen : — His name, Nuaba ? 
Voices :- — Ay, his name ? His name ? 
Nuaba :— I will speak it unto ye after a while. 
Voices : — Now ! 
Nuaba : — First ye shall hear of the curse. I am Nua])a, 

the story-teller. I have spoken before Pharaoh. T 

speak the truth. 
First Citizen : — Then haste thee with thy tongue. 
Nuaba : — ^Ye shall pledge me your silence. 
First Citizen: — Say on. We will hear thee in patience if 

thou but give us the name of the Hebrew. 

THE STORY OF THE CURSE OF RA-APPA 
Nuaba : — Nine score years have passed since AFram, the 
Hebrew, driven by famine from his country, came 
down into Egypt. 

I speak the truth. This Aliram was very rich in 
sheep and cattle and asses and camels and gold and 
silver and jewels. And the number of persons whom 
he ruled, and who came with him unto the River of 
Egypt, was a thousand and fifty souls. 



72 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act v., scene i. 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiNiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii^ 

Wlieu he was come unto Goshen, he sent Eliezer. 
his steward, unto Pharaoh-Ramenes, saying: Let 
Abram, the Hebrew, pass through Egypt to the 
farther borders, he and his people and all that is 
his ; and whatsoever his people consume, or his beasts 
consume, of that which belong to an Egyptian, that 
will he pay for. 

And Ramenes sent the princes of his house to meet 
Abram at Goshen and to bargain with him. 

And it was so, that when the Princes came unto 
Abram, they saw Sarai, his wife. 

Now Sarai was very beautiful to look upon, so 
that the Princes talked among themselves, saying : 
She is even more beautiful than the Queen. 

And when they had done bargaining with Abram, 
they returned unto Pharaoh. 

And the Princes said unto Pharaoh: "Behold 
there is in the tent of Abram a woman of wondrous 
beauty. We enquired of her, and Abram said, 'She 
is my sister'; and the woman said, 'He is my 
brother.' Now, therefore, if it please Pharaoh let 
him demand the woman as hostage during the time 
Abram is in Egypt." 

Their words pleased Ramenes, and he said : Make 
a feast unto Abram and unto his sister. 

So the king made a great feast. 

Now it was so, that the Queen was sick in child- 
bed ; and Avhen the King saw Sarai, he loved her. 
and he forgot his Queen. 

And the maids said unto the Queen : Behold the 
King sitteth at meat with a Avoman who is fair to 
look upon, and a stranger in the land. 

And the Queen answered them: He hath forsaken 
me in mine hour of peril. 

So slie prayed, saying : Isis let him not look upon 
her 

The King looked upon Sarai and his love grew 
into madness. Unto Abram he said: "Who is she?" 
And Abram fearing the King would do him harm 
if he answered, "She is my wife," replied: "She is 
my sister." 

Then the King said unto Sarai: "Who is he?" 
Sarai made answer: "He is my brother." 



ACT v.. scEx\E I THE STOKY OF ASENATH 73 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiniiiiiiiiiinniiii^ iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

Pliaraoli said uuto A])raiii: She shall be my queen. 

Abraiu was afraid of I'haraoli, so he returned to 
his people and left Sarai, who was indeed his wife, 
with the king. 

When Ka-appa, the high priest, heard what Pha- 
raoh had done, he hastened unto him, saying: Let 
the woman go to her people. 

But Pharaoh defied the High Priest, saying: She 
is my wife. 

Ra-appa said unto the King: Touch her not. 

Pharaoh held out his hand to take the woman unto 
him, when, lo! his arm withered, and fell helpless to 
his side. 

Ra-appa again said : Touch her not. 

But Pharaoh held out his other hand to take her 
unto him, and that hand also became withered. 

Then came one running unto the King, saying : 0, 
King ! thy new-born son is dead ! 

The King heard him not. l)ut looked upon Sarai, 
even as one bereft of his senses. 

The King said unto his Princes: Take her into my 
chamber. 

Ra-appa said yet again : Touch her not. 

And so many as put forth their hands, saw them 
become as dead, even as were tlie King's hands. 

Ra-appa said unto Phai-aoh : The woman is 
Abram's wife. If thou harm her even so much as 
by a thought, thou shalt suffer a plague. 

Pharaoh made reply: 1 fear not thy plagues, 
Priest. 

Then Pharaoh looked toward Sarai and he saw 
her not, for his eyes were blind, and a black dark- 
ness came upon him. Then was he afraid and re- 
pented him that he had defied the High Priest. And 
he cried unto Ra-appa. saying: ]\rercy ! ]\Iercy ! 

Ra-appa said: ^lake thy peace with the woman's 
husband, for he is powerful. 

And Pharaoh answered : How can I make peace 
, with him? All that thou sayest that will I do, so 
that I become whole. 

Ra-appa said: Send him a peace offering of gold 
and silver and jewels. 

And Pharaoh sent messengers unto Abram, bear- 
ing much treasure. 



74 THE STOEY OP ASENATH act v., scene i. 

11" Ill iiiiuiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiii luiNiiiiiNiniiiiiiii I iiuiiiiiniiii iiniiii iiiiiiiiniii iiiiiiiiiiiiiin iinn iiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiin iinu luiiiiiiiii iim min n iiiii!iiii iinn i 

l-ia-Ji])pH said: Scud him sheep and asses and 
camels. 

And Pharaoh sent a thousand sheep and a hun- 
dred asses and tifty camels. 

Ka-appa said : Send the woman unto her luisband, 
for thou hast not touched her. 

Pharaoh said unto Sarai : Woman, wliy didst thou 
deceive me? 

But Sarai answered him not a Avord. 
"When Sarai had itione the plague was lifted from 
Pharaoh and from his l*rinces. 

And again one came I'unniug. saying: 0, King, 
thy new-born babe is dead. 

And Pharaoh heard iiim and was very sorrowful 
and wept bitterly. 

Then spake Pa-appa : Pharaoh-Ramencs. king of 
Eg\'pt. know tliou that Isis lives forevei-. Listen! 
As ])unislunent for thy sin, a child of thine whom 
thou liast never known, is dead. Listen I If in time 
to come, thou, or any of thy line, or any Egyptian, 
sit at meat with a ne1)i'ew, the curse of Ra-appa 
shall fall upon you. 1, Ka-ai)]>a, Priest of On, do 
solemnly pronounce it. 

I, Nuaba, the story-telkn'. have spoken the truth. 

First Citizen : — Thou lovest to hear the sound of thy own 

voice. Nuaba. We have heard thee tell that which 

was already known unto us. Now speak tliat which 

we do not know, the name of the Ilebi-ew dog. 

Nuaba : — He is Zai)hnath-paaneah. 

First Citizen: — ]\Ieaneth thou he whom Pharaoh hath 

made to be ruler over us ? 
Nuaba : — He is the man. 
First Citizen: — How knowest tliou? 
Nuaba : — He is a Hebrew. The king made a feast unto 

him. 
First Citizen: — Canst thou j>rove thy words? 
Nuaba : — 1 was in the Palace. Og. my own son. the steward 
of I'otiphar, was sent to tlie dungeon under sentence 
once pronounced upon the He])rew. who also served 
Potiphar. I heard Pharaoh say unto the Hebrew: 
"Thou art free as a free born E.gyptian." I heard 
the king say: ''I have made a feast unto Zaphnath- 
paaneah." T left the Palace and none came away 
after me, save these messengers. 



ACT v., SCENE I THE STOKY OF ASENATH 75 

'"""I'liii ' > iiiiiiiiitt mill II 1 1 1 III III 1 1 1 mill Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Ill iiiiiiii iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiii iiiitiii iiNiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiii niiiiiiiiu 

First Citizen : — The Hebrew is now in tlie Palace? 

NijABA : — Ay, and in authority. 

First Citizen : — Monstrous ! 

NuABA : — Ye allow it. 

Second Citizen: — The Hebrew is at fault I 

Third Citizen : — He is a pestilence ! 

First Citizen:— Shall the Palace house that which brings 

a curse ? 
NuABA : — An ye be men, No ! 
Third Citizen :—AVe be ruled by that which should be 

carrion. 
First Citizen: — And shall be carrion. 
NuABA: — The man is a wizard. 
First Citizen : — A dead wizard can do us no harm. 
Third Citizen : — Let us kill him ! 
Voices : — Kill him I 
NuABA:— Stay! He wearetli the King's seal. The guard 

will defend him. 
First Citizen : — There be men in :\reres to outnumber the 
guard as a hundred is to one. Ho I All ye that hear 
me : Pouse ye the city I Cry it forth : Let every man 
to arms! Delay not an instant! Meet by the 
River, at tlie King's Landing ! 
Cry ye: Save the King! 
Voices: — Save the King! 

First Citizen : — Cry ye : Down witli the Hebrew dog ! 
Voices : — Down with the Hel)rew dog ! 
First Citizen :— Begone. Rouse the city as with fire ! 

{Tlu )■( is a gnat (lispcrsio)), all shouting) 
Voices : — To arms ! 
V( )icES : — Save the King ! 
Voices : — Down with the Hebrew dog ! 
Voices: — To the King's Landing! 

NuABA : — My son hath an enemy. His enemy is a dog of a 
Hebrew. Doth Og take the Hebrew's punishment 
for naught ? Not while Nuaba hath a tongue. 

(Exit) 



76 THE STORY OF ASENATH act v., scene ii. 

iiiiiiiiii!iiiuiii!i:iii»i!iiiiii{illlillilili!ililllliillliiliiiill[|||iiiiiiiliiiiliiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiin^ 



ACT 5 

SCENE 2 

The audience ehaiiiber in the King's Palace. 

{Enter Joseph anel Ascnath. Asenath is Mind) 

AsEXATii : — I forget this darkness when thou art with me, 
Joseph. 

Zai'uxath-paaneah: — Darkness is cruel company in the 
daytime, Asenath. My presence is but poor relief to 
you. 

Asenath : — Such relief, Joseph, that methinks I see with 
your eyes. How beautiful a thing is sight ! I know 
that when I, shall see again of mine own eyes, the 
blind people in Egypt will have a friend in Asenath. 

Zaphnatii-pa^^neah : — A sympathizing friend, truly. 

Asenath : — And more, Joseph. Tho'ugh it be taught hy 
our Priests that the blind are accursed, yet will I 
strive to lighten the burden of their misfortune. 

Zapiinatii-paaneah : — It is a proverb, Asenath, that those 
who have suffered can best relieve suffering. How 
M'ill my wife minister unto the sightless ones? — ■ 
How can she give a light to those who are in dark- 
ness? 

Asenath : — I will tell you, Joseph, of a strange vision which 
came to me last night. It may seem an idle tale, but 
I cannot keep it from you, my husband. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — It cannot be an idle tale, Asenath, 
for I know from your speech it hath an influenee for 
good. 

Asenath : — I was in bed. You had not yet returned from 
the night inspection of the garrison. I felt the dark- 
ness of the night a thousand-fold more dark with the 
absence of eyes. Suddenly an apparition came lie- 
fore me. It was as if a light glowed within my brain, 
the light taking the form of a damsel whose height 
was not more than a span. Her robe was white. 
Her face beamed with a glory of incomparal)le 
})rightnoss. Slowly she moved as it were from the 
sockets of my eyes to half an arm's length from my 
face. Then she stood a while and gazed upon me 
with the look of one whose heart is touched with 
compassion. So lovely was she that my soul was 



ACT v., SCENI 11 THE STORY OF ASENATH 77 

iiiiiiiiiiiiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHii 1 1 n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I 1 1 1 1 

silenced with awe, — an ecstatic wonderment; for the 
being while so clearly visible was yet transparent, 
and while apparently a substance, yet remained in 
mid air. She raised her hands as if to bless me. 
She spoke, and her voice was like unto the sweetest 
music. that I could remember all she said ! 

Zaphnath-paaneah :— In what manner did the Spirit ad- 
dress you, Asenathf 

AsENATH: — She called me by name three times: Asenath, 
Asenath, Asenath. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — And then ? 

Asenath: — For the space of about twenty heart beats was 
silent. Then she said : I am the Spirit of thine eyes. 
By me hath the Creator of All Things revealed unto 
thee the work of His hands. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Of a truth it is so, Asenath. The 
eyes are the windows of the soul. 

Asenath : — I know it now, my husband ; yet before Avas I 
as one having a jewel of priceless value, the which I 
prized not, for it was with me even as a shadow. 0, 
now that I am blind, hoAV precious is that sight which 
is withheld from me ! 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — An affliction ofttimes serves a good 
purpose, Asenath. But tell me further, I pray thee, 
of that M^hich the Spirit spake unto thee. I would 
hear all the wonderful words. 

Asenath : — That cannot be, Joseph. The words have gone 
from me. I feel their influence, but cannot speak 
them. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — The substance of them, Asenath, — 
their import? 

Asenath : — It was of charity — of helping the helpless. The 
Spirit commissioned me, saying: When your sight 
shall be restored, remember those who live in dark- 
ness. Let your eyes be their eyes. Speak unto them 
and refresh their souls with the knowledge of that T 
show unto you. 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — A noble commission, Asenath. 

Asenath: — Will my husband be with me in ministering 
unto the afflicted ? 

Zaphnath-paaneah : — Thou hast enlisted me, Asenath, for 
all I can do. 

Asenath : — How shall I begin, Joseph? 



78 TIIK STORY OF ASENATH act v., scene ii. 

iniiiiiiiiiuiiiiiii;iiiiiiiiiiiNiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiniiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiNii!iiiiiii«^ 

Zaphnath-paaneaii : — jMetliinks, my love, thou art already 
ministering. A convert has heen made liy thee this 
day. Speak unto others as thou hast spoken unto 
me, wife, and all the blind in Egypt will have eyes. 

AsENATH : — To see as through a veil, dimly. 

Zaphnath-paaneaii :— As the eagle, which, soaring sky- 
ward, sees the whole earth at a glance. 

Asenath : — that I had the power to work miracles ! 

Zaphnath-paaneaii : — Asenath, thou saidst a while ago 
that thou dost see through my eyes. When, in time 
to come, thou slialt see of thine own eyes, and those 
who be blind shall hear the sound of thy voice and 
l)e guided by thy hand, then will thy mission carry 
with it the sunshine whicli is l)egot of human kind- 
ness, which shines so ])rightly in the dungeon as on 
the housetop, and which knows no night. 

Asenatpi : — 0, my husband! It is coming! There is a 
mist — a clearing away — 0, Avhat a flood of light ! 
{She places her liaiids over her eyes) 

Zaphnath-paaneaii: — A most welcome visitor, Asenath. 

Asenath: — {Removing her hands) How joyful I feel! 

Zaphnatii-paanea]! : — And happy indeed am I. 
{Tie lasses her) 
{Enter Felix. Tie salutes, firsi Asenalh, then 
Z aphnatli-paaneeih ) 

Felix: — {To Zaphnath-paaneah) ]\Iy lord, the watchman 
reports a crowd of people marching toward the Pal- 
ace, the leaders armed and brandishing their 
weapons. 

Zaphnath-paaneaii: — {Tu Felix) kSunnnon the Captains 
to the guard room. Bid them haste. 
{Exit Felix) 
{To Asenath) The people of the city have had 
their patience sorely taxed, Asenath. They have re- 
solved to use force in gaining entrance to the palace, 
so that they may learn the cause of this strange 
seclusion. 

Asenath: — There must be no l)lood shed. Joseph, or it 
will be on my father's head. 

Zaphnath-paaneaii: — There shall none be shed, Asenath, 
if I can prevent. Thou hast eyes now, love. Seek 
thy room a while until the peo7:>]e are pacified. T 
nuist to the captains. {Kisses her) 
{Exil Joseph) 



ACT v., SCENE II. THE STOEY OF ASENATH 79 

iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I mil iiiiin iiiiiiiiiniii iiiiuiiiiiiiii iiiiiiu i '" ii i in ii in ii iiiiiii 

AsEKATii: — {Gazing after liim) '"Tliou hast eyes now, 
love,'' lie said. With what raptuiv do they meet his 
eyes ! My footsteps would follow him — slave to these 
eyes — that they may always see him. 0, fie, Asenath, 
it is unseemly to be so outwardly love-struck. "Seek 
thy room," he said. 'Tis his first command and 1 
will obe.y. 

{Exit AscuatJi) 
{Enter Potiplierah from another door) 
PoTiPHERAii : — A mob advances with show of violence. If 
these wits serve me, the people have heard of tlie 
curse of Ra-appa and they seek the Hebrew's life. — 
It mu.st be so— It is so. Shall I prevent? Think 
twice, Priest. Thy daughter a widow. Would slie 
again give thee affection? — Thy king in thy power. 
Art sure of it? — Zaphnath-paaneah dead, and I am 
again without a peer. None can then l)etray me. 
save my daughter — my own flesh and blood. Will 
she? No, she shall not. Hark! That is noise of 
fighting. The mob has entered the Palace. Let them 
do their deed. I will hide me till 'tis done; then 
play the hypoci-ite in bewailing his death. 
{Exit Potiplierah) 
{Enlu- Zapltnath-paancali, icalhing hacJiwards. 
Ten soldiers follow, all doing their best to shield hi}n 
from the mob, who have sinyhd hint cut for their 
vengeance. The soldiers arc can ful not io harm their 
assailants. They surround Zaphnath-paaneah in the 
room. The mob is frantic to catch him) 
Voices : — {From the mob) The Hebrew dog ! 
The wizard ! 
Hang the upstart ! 

He hath bi-ought a curse upon Pharaoh! 
Kill him ! Kill him ! 

{A desperate struggle ensues and the soldiers arc 
overpowered) 
Zaphxat IT-PA ANEAii : — {To mob) Stand back, ye fools! 
{There is a temporary halt) 
Your king is alive. 
First Citizen: — Thou hast brought a curse upon him: 

therefore, shalt thou die. 
Zapiinatii-paaneaii : — Your king brought the curse upon 
liis own head. Potipherah would save him, ])ut with- 
out avail. 



80 THE STOKY OF ASENATH act v.. scene ii. 

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First Citizen : — Hear him ! He slandereth the king ! 
Zaphnath-paaneaii : — The curse shall be removed ere .sun- 
down. I swear it upon my life. 
{Enter Asenath) 
First Citizen: — Thy life is not worth the swearing. {To 
moh) The rope, fellows. 

{A man throws a sUp-noosc over Zaplmatli' 
paancah's head and shoulders, pulls it tiejht and 
hi)ids him firjnlij) 

Drag liim to the east gate. Hang him to the first 
tree without the Avails ! 

{Asenath,, ivho at first is peiralyzed witti astonish- 
ment, rushes to the reseue anel fttroics her arms 
around Zaphnatli-paan< <di 's m <■].■ < 

(The moh so unc:rp( chdltj lnl( rriiph d, hi (jd of 
tJieir prisoner) 
Asenath: — {Feicing the moh) Murderers! Devils! AVould 

yet slay your master ? 
First Citizen : — Pharaoh is our nuister. AVe know no 

other. 
Asenath : — Ye shall know another. 

First Citizen : — {To moh) The woman is bewitdied. Take 
her away. 

{There is a man toward htr) 
AsENATi I : — Cowards ! 

{The moh hesitates) 
1 am Asenath, Priestess of On! 1 eoiniiiand ye to 
h^ave the Palace. 
First Crri/EN : — Priestess, thou art sheltering a wizard — a 
l)lig'ht — a Hebrew ! 

{Ent( r rotiplK rah) 
Asenath : — He whom I slielter is — my husband! 
Potifherah : — [To moh) And my son. 

{Tlte moh fedls had- to a respectful disteincc) 

What meanetli this confusion and violence? 
Speak! — Have ye no tongues? 
First Citizen: — INIy lord, we came to avenge the curse of 
Ka-appa. 

{Enter Pharaoh and Potipliar) 
Potifherah : — Fools! Would ye have the curse multi- 
plied? Know ye not it cometh of the Gods? See, 
liere comes your king. The curse is even now re- 
moved. 



ACT v., SCENE II. THE STOEY OF ASEXATH 81 

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Pharaoh : — {To Potiplierah) Blessed be Isis. 
{Pharaoh kisses PotipJicraJi's hand) 
{Meanwhile Asenath has loosened the rope and 
freed her hushand from its hands ) 
{The moh slinks away) 

PoTiPHERAii : — (To Pharaoh) Isis hath shown mercy unto 
Pharaoh. Let Pharaoh now make amends unto 
Zaphuath-paaneah, that he may go forth among tlie 
people, even as he did before the day of the curse. 

Pharaoh: — {To Zaphnathr-paancah) I, Pharaoh, have 
sinned and have suffered because that I defied the 
Holy Laws. Thou, Zaphuath-paaneah, art blame- 
less. 

PoTiPHERAii : — {Aside) I have asked too nuieh. lie must 
not wear the king's seal. 

{To Pharaoh) INIy lord, he weareth thy seal as 
Ruler of Egypt. But now a mob did set upon him 
and would have killed him for love of thee. Shall 
he continue to wear thy seal'; 

Pharaoh : — It shall be as thou sayest. Priest. 

PoTiPHERAH : — Let the king do even as Ra-appa directed for 
Abram : give him gifts and send him unto his peo- 
ple. 

Asenath : — {To Pharaoh) If it please the King — 0, my 
lord, think me not bold — let me, I pray thee, speak 
for him who is m}- husband. 

Pharaoh : — I wdll hear thee, Asenath. 

Asenath : — ^Pharaoh gave unto Asenath a husband. I pray 
thee take him not away from me. Since Pharaoh was 
stricken my father did covenant with my liusband. 
saying : Serve thou the King. 

{To Potiplierah) It is so. my father. 
{To Pharaoh) jMy lord, the King knoweth how, 
when Potiphar's heart failed him, Zaphnath-paaneah 
Avas a soldier of soldiers: and that he hath saved 
Egypt; for even now the King's enemies have not 
heard of the King's blindness. 

POTIPHERAII : — {Aside ) She will liave her way. 

{To Pharaoh) ]My lord. Asenath hath spoken the 
truth. I said unto thee, *'Send him away," that I 
might show thee how strong is her atfection for him. 
whom the King in his wisdom made her husband. 



82 THE STOEY OF ASENATH act v., scene il. 

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Pharaoh : — [To PoloplK rah i It is well spoken. 

{'To Zaphn(tth-[)(t(ui< (th } Zai)liiiath-paaiieah, give 
me thy hand. 

{Re takes ihe hand) 
{To Totiphcrah and Totiphar) Potiphcrah and 
Potiphar, phice you each your right hand over this 
the hand of Zai^hnath-paaneaii. 
{They do so) 
{To I'ollphi rail ) Potii)lierah. swear l)y Isis to 
give unto hiin whom I have iiuuh' ruler of Egypt, 
the support of the PriestlioocL 
J*OTiPiiERAii : — Let J sis be my witness: I swear it. 
l^nARAOii: — {To Foliphar) Potipliar, swear by Osiris, to 
give unto him Avhom 1 iiave made ruler over Egypt, 
the obedience of the army, there to l)e no command 
greater than his, save mine. 
PoTii'iJAR: — By Osiris. I swear it. 

[Zaphnaih-paaneali Imils Ik fore (lie I'ing and 
Jiisses the l-i)i(j's hand) 
PiiARAOii: — {To Zapln\ath-pevun( (ill } Kise, Zaphnatli- 
paaneah. 

{To Aseneitli) Asenath, come hither. 
{She eidvanccs and shyly lakes Zaphnaih-paaneali' s 
rigJil Jiand in hedh of lurs. She looks hopefully lo 
Ihe king) 

Thy husl)and is my fi'iemh All blessings go with 
thee to his house. 
PoTiPHERAii : — Amen. 
POTiPHAR :— Amen. 

CURTAIN 



JUL 19 1913 




017 401 662 8 



